In order to regulate social media usage, Egypt’s parliament has approved new regulations.
The new regime requires that all social media users with over 5,000 followers are given special monitoring by the state.
These users could be placed under the supervision of Egypt’s Supreme Council for Media Regulations.
AFP reports that the council could suspend, or block accounts considered to be publishing or broadcasting “fake news or anything inciting violating the law, violence or hatred”.
The new law also covers websites and blogs that publish news related content.
President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi’s is now required to sign the law to give his final approval. Many consider the move an attempt to curb dissents.
Human rights groups including Amnesty International have condemned the new law.
Just last week a Lebanese tourist was jailed in Egypt for complaining of sexual harassment and living conditions in Egypt.
Mona el-Mazboh was arrested last month for posting a video on Facebook raising these concerns.
Her lawyer told Reuters that his client was jailed for eight years in prison by a Cairo court.
Arrest of a tourist
Mona el-Mazboh was arrested at Cairo airport following her 10-minute video. In that video she described Egypt as a “son of a bitch country” haven completed her stay in Egypt.
The Facebook post went viral on social media prompting her arrest. Mabhoh was convicted of deliberately spreading false rumours by the court.
The court found her guilty of harming society, attacking religion, and engaging in public indecency.
Its not only Egypt that is getting tough on social media users. Other African countries like Uganda and Zambia are putting in place laws to regulate social media usage.