MP demands Facebook users reveal their national IDs, phone numbers to access website

CAIRO – 18 April 2017: The Egyptian Parliament will discuss a new draft law requiring Facebook users in Egypt to reveal their national IDs and phone numbers, as a precondition to access the social media website.

In a statement published on his Facebook page, Member of Parliament, Reyad Abdel Sattar, a member of the Free Egyptians Party, explained that the draft law aims to protect Egypt’s national security.

“Every time there is a terrorist incident, the IS terrorist group and its likes use social media to spread fear and panic,” Sattar said, explaining that the law comes in response to what Egypt has been facing from “terrorism and killing innocent people.”

The MP denied prior statements alleging the draft law required a registration fee or fines from Facebook users.

Sattar was quoted in several media outlets, demanding a monthly registration fee of EGP 200 for Facebook, to show who is using social media properly and who is using it against the state institutions.

“The Parliament can still approve or disapprove the draft,” Sattar said, stating that it will bring discipline to social media users.

Sattar told Parlamany news website on Saturday that he will finalize the draft and gather the signatures of Parliament members by 26 April.