Yes. Article 2 of Law No. 175 of 2018 places a legal obligation on all service providers operating in Egypt to retain and store information system logs and related data. This data retention requirement is intended to support criminal investigations and is a standard tool used by Egyptian authorities in cybercrime cases. Service providers who fail to comply with these obligations can face regulatory consequences.
Beyond passive retention, Egyptian authorities have active investigative powers. Under Article 6, the competent investigating authority can issue a reasoned order—valid for up to 30 days and renewable once—directing designated judicial police officers to monitor, access, or collect data from information systems and networks. Article 9 further grants the Public Prosecutor or a delegated senior prosecutor the power to intercept or monitor communications when there is sufficient evidence of a serious offense.
What this means for expats: Your internet activity in Egypt is subject to data retention by your service provider, and that data can be legally accessed by Egyptian authorities under a court or prosecutorial order. Using encrypted communications apps may offer some practical privacy, but is not a legal shield. If you are involved in any investigation or legal matter in Egypt, be aware that your digital footprint within the country may be accessible to investigators.
This is general legal information, not legal advice. For advice on your specific situation, consult a lawyer licensed in Egypt.