Can Phone Numbers in Egypt Be Shared or Sold Legally?

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In Egypt, the use, sharing, and selling of phone numbers are subject to strict legal regulations designed to protect consumer privacy and prevent misuse. Businesses and individuals who want to engage in activities involving phone number data must understand the relevant laws and ethical considerations to ensure compliance and avoid penalties.

This article explores the legal framework around sharing and selling phone numbers in Egypt and what you need to know to operate within the law.

1. Legal Framework Governing Phone Numbers in Egypt
Phone numbers in Egypt are considered personal data under the Personal Data Protection Law (Law No. 151 of 2020), which is Egypt’s comprehensive legislation regulating the collection, processing, and sharing of personal information. This law aligns with global privacy standards and imposes strict obligations on data controllers and processors.

The National Telecommunications Regulatory egypt phone number list Authority (NTRA) also plays a critical role by regulating telecommunications providers and enforcing rules against unsolicited marketing and spam.

Together, these bodies ensure phone numbers are protected from unauthorized use, including unlawful sharing or selling.

2. Consent Is the Foundation of Legal Sharing and Selling
Under Egyptian law, the most important requirement for sharing or selling phone numbers is obtaining explicit consent from the phone number owners. Consent must be:

Freely given: Users must have a genuine choice to opt in or out without pressure.

Informed: They must know what their data will be used for and who will have access to it.

Specific: Consent for phone number sharing or sale must be distinct from other consents.

Without valid consent, sharing or selling phone numbers is illegal and considered a breach of privacy.

3. Restrictions on Selling Phone Number Lists
Selling phone number lists in Egypt is heavily regulated. Businesses cannot simply buy or sell bulk phone number databases without ensuring all numbers were collected lawfully with proper consent for such uses.

Additionally, phone numbers that appear on the Do Not Call (DNC) registry maintained by the NTRA must never be included in any sales or marketing activities.

Unlawful sale or distribution of phone number lists can lead to severe penalties, including fines and criminal charges.

4. Transparency and Purpose Limitation
When phone numbers are shared or sold legally, the purpose of the data transfer must be clearly stated and limited to the agreed uses. For example, a business may share numbers with a trusted marketing partner only to send specific campaigns, but not for unrelated sales or third-party resale.

Transparency is key to maintaining customer trust and compliance with Egyptian law.

5. Data Security and Responsibility
Entities sharing or selling phone numbers must also ensure the data is protected against unauthorized access, leaks, or breaches. They must implement adequate technical and organizational security measures in line with the Personal Data Protection Law.

Moreover, both the seller and buyer of phone number data remain accountable for compliance and must have agreements in place outlining their responsibilities.

6. Ethical Considerations and Best Practices
Even when legal, sharing or selling phone numbers should be done with caution and respect for consumers. Ethical marketing practices include:

Avoiding excessive or intrusive contact

Honoring opt-out and unsubscribe requests promptly

Using phone number data only for the intended and consented purposes

Building a reputation for respecting privacy enhances brand loyalty and reduces regulatory risks.

Conclusion
In Egypt, phone numbers are protected personal data, and their sharing or sale is regulated by the Personal Data Protection Law and overseen by the NTRA. The legal sharing or selling of phone numbers requires explicit, informed consent from the data owners, strict adherence to purpose limitations, and robust data security.

Businesses must avoid purchasing or distributing phone number lists without proper consent or including numbers on the Do Not Call registry. Transparency, accountability, and ethical considerations are equally important to ensure compliance and maintain customer trust.

Understanding and respecting these regulations will help businesses use phone number data responsibly and legally in Egypt’s evolving data privacy landscape.