Do Egypt Phone Number Lists Comply with Egypt’s Data Protection Laws?
Posted: Sat May 24, 2025 9:30 am
In recent years, data protection and privacy have become critical concerns worldwide, and Egypt is no exception. With the widespread use of mobile phones and digital communication, the handling of phone number lists—especially for marketing or communication purposes—has come under closer scrutiny. But do Egypt phone number lists comply with the country’s data protection laws? Let’s explore the current legal landscape and how it affects the use of such lists.
Overview of Egypt’s Data Protection Law
In 2020, Egypt enacted its first comprehensive data protection legislation: Law No. 151 of 2020 on the Protection of Personal Data (PDPL). This law was introduced to regulate how personal data—including phone numbers—can be collected, stored, processed, and shared. The PDPL aligns broadly with international standards like the European Union’s GDPR, emphasizing transparency, consent, and individuals’ rights over their data.
Key provisions include:
Consent Requirement: Personal data may only egypt phone number list be collected and processed if the individual has given explicit consent, except in specific cases like fulfilling a contract or legal obligations.
Purpose Limitation: Data must be collected for specific, lawful purposes and not used for unrelated activities.
Data Minimization: Only data necessary for the stated purpose should be collected.
Security Measures: Organizations must implement appropriate technical and organizational safeguards to protect data.
Right to Access and Rectification: Individuals can request access to their data and demand corrections or deletions.
How These Laws Impact Phone Number Lists
Phone numbers are classified as personal data under the PDPL because they can directly identify an individual. Therefore, any list containing phone numbers must be managed in compliance with the law.
Consent Is Central
The most critical requirement is obtaining explicit consent from the individual before including their number in a phone list for marketing, advertising, or any direct communication. This means businesses or data brokers cannot simply scrape numbers from the internet, purchase unverified lists, or add contacts without permission. Consent must be clear, informed, and freely given.
Transparency and Purpose
Entities collecting phone numbers must inform users about why the data is being collected and how it will be used. For example, if a company gathers phone numbers to send promotional SMS messages, the user must be aware of this purpose and have the option to opt out.
Data Security
Organizations must also protect phone number lists from unauthorized access, leaks, or breaches. Failure to secure such lists can lead to penalties under the PDPL.
Compliance in Practice: Are Phone Number Lists in Egypt Following the Law?
Despite the clear legal framework, enforcement and practical compliance vary widely:
Legitimate Businesses and Telecom Providers: Large, established companies and telecom operators generally adhere to the law. They use opt-in mechanisms, maintain clear privacy policies, and implement security measures to protect customer data.
Smaller Businesses and Third-Party Marketers: Some smaller firms and data brokers might not always follow proper procedures, especially when buying or compiling phone number lists from unverified sources. This can lead to unsolicited calls or messages, which frustrate consumers and violate privacy laws.
Unregulated or Illegal Lists: Unfortunately, there are still instances where phone numbers are harvested or sold without consent, often for aggressive telemarketing or spam campaigns. These practices are illegal under PDPL but remain difficult to fully control due to limited enforcement capacity.
Government Efforts and Future Outlook
Egyptian authorities are actively working to raise awareness of the PDPL and improve enforcement mechanisms. Fines and sanctions can be imposed on entities violating data protection rules, including misuse of phone number lists.
As digital communication becomes even more vital in Egypt’s economy and society, adherence to data protection laws is expected to improve. Consumers are also becoming more aware of their rights, demanding better privacy standards.
Conclusion
Egypt’s data protection law clearly requires that phone number lists comply with strict rules around consent, purpose, and security. While large companies and telecom providers generally comply, some smaller players and unscrupulous marketers still operate outside the law. Moving forward, stronger enforcement and greater public awareness will be key to ensuring phone number lists in Egypt respect privacy and legal standards, safeguarding individuals’ personal data in an increasingly connected world.
Overview of Egypt’s Data Protection Law
In 2020, Egypt enacted its first comprehensive data protection legislation: Law No. 151 of 2020 on the Protection of Personal Data (PDPL). This law was introduced to regulate how personal data—including phone numbers—can be collected, stored, processed, and shared. The PDPL aligns broadly with international standards like the European Union’s GDPR, emphasizing transparency, consent, and individuals’ rights over their data.
Key provisions include:
Consent Requirement: Personal data may only egypt phone number list be collected and processed if the individual has given explicit consent, except in specific cases like fulfilling a contract or legal obligations.
Purpose Limitation: Data must be collected for specific, lawful purposes and not used for unrelated activities.
Data Minimization: Only data necessary for the stated purpose should be collected.
Security Measures: Organizations must implement appropriate technical and organizational safeguards to protect data.
Right to Access and Rectification: Individuals can request access to their data and demand corrections or deletions.
How These Laws Impact Phone Number Lists
Phone numbers are classified as personal data under the PDPL because they can directly identify an individual. Therefore, any list containing phone numbers must be managed in compliance with the law.
Consent Is Central
The most critical requirement is obtaining explicit consent from the individual before including their number in a phone list for marketing, advertising, or any direct communication. This means businesses or data brokers cannot simply scrape numbers from the internet, purchase unverified lists, or add contacts without permission. Consent must be clear, informed, and freely given.
Transparency and Purpose
Entities collecting phone numbers must inform users about why the data is being collected and how it will be used. For example, if a company gathers phone numbers to send promotional SMS messages, the user must be aware of this purpose and have the option to opt out.
Data Security
Organizations must also protect phone number lists from unauthorized access, leaks, or breaches. Failure to secure such lists can lead to penalties under the PDPL.
Compliance in Practice: Are Phone Number Lists in Egypt Following the Law?
Despite the clear legal framework, enforcement and practical compliance vary widely:
Legitimate Businesses and Telecom Providers: Large, established companies and telecom operators generally adhere to the law. They use opt-in mechanisms, maintain clear privacy policies, and implement security measures to protect customer data.
Smaller Businesses and Third-Party Marketers: Some smaller firms and data brokers might not always follow proper procedures, especially when buying or compiling phone number lists from unverified sources. This can lead to unsolicited calls or messages, which frustrate consumers and violate privacy laws.
Unregulated or Illegal Lists: Unfortunately, there are still instances where phone numbers are harvested or sold without consent, often for aggressive telemarketing or spam campaigns. These practices are illegal under PDPL but remain difficult to fully control due to limited enforcement capacity.
Government Efforts and Future Outlook
Egyptian authorities are actively working to raise awareness of the PDPL and improve enforcement mechanisms. Fines and sanctions can be imposed on entities violating data protection rules, including misuse of phone number lists.
As digital communication becomes even more vital in Egypt’s economy and society, adherence to data protection laws is expected to improve. Consumers are also becoming more aware of their rights, demanding better privacy standards.
Conclusion
Egypt’s data protection law clearly requires that phone number lists comply with strict rules around consent, purpose, and security. While large companies and telecom providers generally comply, some smaller players and unscrupulous marketers still operate outside the law. Moving forward, stronger enforcement and greater public awareness will be key to ensuring phone number lists in Egypt respect privacy and legal standards, safeguarding individuals’ personal data in an increasingly connected world.