Egyptian MP calls for ban on TikTok citing erosion of “family values”

Egyptian Member of Parliament Essam Diab has called on the prime minister and the Ministry of Communications and Information to ban TikTok, citing concerns over its impact on traditional values, according to The New Arab.

On Facebook, Diab accused the platform of “spreading debauchery and obscenity among young people,” claiming it undermines Egypt’s cultural identity. His stance aligns with widespread concerns in the country regarding the app’s influence.

Recently, several TikTok influencers, most of whom were women, were arrested and imprisoned under Egypt’s anti-cybercrime law for allegedly “violating family values.”

Rights groups have widely condemned the arrests.

TikTok is immensely popular in Egypt, with an estimated 37 million users, making it the third most-used social media platform after Facebook and Instagram. Despite its popularity, Diab stated in a televised interview that he would only support the app’s use if it were regulated to conform to Egyptian customs and traditions.

In addition to cultural concerns, Diab highlighted potential issues with TikTok’s monetization system and possible threats to national security.

Globally, the app, owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, has reportedly faced bans or restrictions in 19 countries.