Cairo, Egypt (McKoy’s Information) – The Egyptian authorities has turned up the warmth on social media stars—snatching TikTokers from their houses and throwing them behind bars in a brand new so-called “morality sweep” that has rights teams screaming foul.
Over the previous week, not less than eight influencers—largely girls—have been arrested for posting content material that officers declare “violates public decency” and “threatens household values.”
Their crime? Posting dances, jokes, and on a regular basis skits on-line. However in Egypt’s eyes, that’s “indecent publicity.”
Dragnet or Witch Hunt?
Sources verify that the targets embody names like Suzy al-Urduniya, Um Mekka, and comedy creator Mohamed Abdelaty Taha, who boasts over 600,000 Instagram followers. Police reportedly confirmed up at houses with out warning—hauling creators away beneath imprecise cybercrime and “morality” prices.
A fiery grievance filed by 32 legal professionals accused the TikTokers of “spreading corruption” and “endangering youth”—regardless of providing no proof of hurt.
Rights teams aren’t shopping for it. The Egyptian Initiative for Private Rights (EIPR) blasted the arrests as a “classist crackdown”, saying it’s largely younger, working-class girls who’re being punished for gaining fame and monetary independence by social media.
Historical past Repeats Itself
This isn’t Egypt’s first try to scrub up TikTok. Again in 2020, in style influencers like Haneen Hossam and Mawada al-Adham had been jailed for 2 years after posting dance clips. They had been later hit with human trafficking prices, with Hossam sentenced to 10 years behind bars.
These earlier instances drew international backlash—and it appears Egypt’s newest actions might ignite one other worldwide firestorm.
What’s Actually Going On?
Critics say this isn’t about morality—it’s about management.
“When the state can’t deal with free expression, it calls it indecency,” one activist mentioned.
“That is censorship disguised as advantage.”
Some say the actual cause behind the arrests is concern: concern of girls taking management of their picture, their earnings, and their affect—with out state permission.
The Backside Line
Egypt is sending a transparent message: Go viral, and go to jail—particularly if you happen to’re a lady, poor, and unafraid to be seen.
However with cameras rolling and hashtags trending, the TikTok era could not keep silent for lengthy.
