Egypt’s National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) has issued a three-month ultimatum to TikTok to regulate its content in line with the country’s social and moral values, following a high-level meeting last month.
The directive comes amid growing public outcry over the platform’s content, with critics claiming it violates societal norms and defames Egyptian women.
The meeting, attended by TikTok Egypt and North Africa representatives, NTRA head Mohamed Shamrouk, and members of the House of Representatives’ Telecommunications Committee, including MP Ahmed Badawi, addressed concerns about the platform’s impact.
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Egypt had 41.3 million TikTok users aged 18 and above in early 2025, with 35.8% female and 64.2% male, according to analysts. Badawi, a key figure in the parliamentary committee, emphasized that while authorities have the legal power to ban platforms violating national laws, stricter regulation and tailored legislation are preferable to outright bans. “The solution is not prohibition but imposing criteria that reflect Egypt’s societal values,” he stated.
The Telecommunications and Information Technology Committee, under the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, is exploring legal frameworks to balance freedom of expression with public morality.
Badawi noted widespread citizen complaints about videos breaching community standards, alongside social media campaigns demanding TikTok’s shutdown. However, he advocated for raising awareness about the platform’s risks rather than banning it.
