The Egyptian government has been taking strong measures to tackle the spreading of fake news and rumors. There are strict penalties for those found guilty. The law states that individuals who intentionally spread false information about the country’s internal affairs to undermine its financial stability or reputation can face up to five years in prison and substantial fines.
Egypt Today reported that the Egyptian Penal Code includes several articles addressing the dissemination of false information. Article 80(d) specifies that anyone who intentionally spreads false news or rumors about the country’s internal affairs abroad, intending to undermine the state’s financial credibility or prestige, can be imprisoned for up to five years and fined.
Notably, Article 102 imposes penalties on those who intentionally spread false news or rumors that could disrupt public security or cause panic. The penalties are more severe if the crime is committed during wartime.
Additionally, Article 188 penalizes individuals who maliciously spread false news, fabricate or forge documents, or falsely attribute information to others if such actions could disrupt public peace, cause panic, or harm the public interest.
Abdullah El-Magazy, a constitutional law professor, warned against spreading rumors on social media, emphasizing the potential harm it can cause society. He highlighted the legal penalties for those who spread false information online, including up to five years imprisonment and a fine of up to 20,000 Egyptian pounds. El-Magazy noted that the state of emergency exacerbates the severity of these penalties.
He explained that the anonymity of social media accounts and the availability of tools to create deepfakes contribute to the rapid spread of misinformation. Moreover, the lack of specialized centers to monitor and combat rumors during crises exacerbates the problem.
El-Magazy emphasized that spreading false news that disrupts public security is considered a crime and is punishable by law. It requires malicious intent to harm the public interest.
He classified false news into different types, such as fabricated content, forged content, misleading content, and satirical content that can be misleading. The widespread use of social media platforms has significantly contributed to the dissemination of false information, as users often share content without verifying its accuracy. Additionally, unlicensed online news outlets, especially those operating outside the country, often contribute to misinformation to drive more traffic to their websites.
