Egypt parliament authorises public prosecution to monitor communication platforms 

Egypt’s House of Representatives authorised the Public Prosecution to issue orders for monitoring or reviewing communication channels, including social media accounts, emails and mobile phones.

The House approved articles 62-102 of the Criminal Procedure bill. The 40 articles constitute the first four chapters of the bill’s third section, which addresses investigations carried out by the prosecution.

Some members of parliament demanded that prosecutors’ investigations be made public but their demands were rejected.

Parliament required the approval of the investigating judge for this authority to be given to Public Prosecution. The investigating judge’s approval is valid for up to 30 days and can be renewed for similar periods, according to the approved articles of the bill.

Article 79 of the bill stipulates that prosecutors are permitted, after obtaining the judge’s approval, to issue orders for the seizure of letters, messages, telegrams, newspapers, publications and parcels.

According to the bill, prosecutors are also authorised to monitor wired and wireless communication, social media accounts and their private content, emails, text messages, audio and video messages on mobile phones and other devices.

The bill also permits prosecutors to seize these devices, as well as to record conversations conducted privately if this is deemed necessary for investigations in felonies or misdemeanors that are punishable by more than three months in prison.

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