Egyptian Lawmaker Demands Answers on State Facial Recognition and Data Security

MP Amira al-Adly, a member of the House of Representatives representing the Coordination of Youth Parties and Politicians, has voiced significant concerns regarding the implementation of facial recognition technology for mobile phone line registration.

Speaking during a Sunday phone interview with the “Kalema Akhera” (Last Word) program, the MP urged authorities to provide clear clarifications regarding the objectives behind collecting biometric data, the security mechanisms in place to protect it, and the specific entities that will oversee the process. Emphasizing that biometric data is highly sensitive, Adly classified its handling as a matter of national security.

She questioned whether the primary objective of introducing facial recognition is strictly limited to resolving issues related to mobile phone lines being used by individuals other than their registered owners, or if it serves as a preliminary step toward implementing a broader state digital identity system. Highlighting the Personal Data Protection Law, the MP noted that the legislation mandates the establishment of a specialized data protection center, requiring a clear institutional framework to dictate rules for handling and safeguarding such sensitive information.

Advocating for citizen rights, Adly argued that any solution must be precisely tailored to the nature of the specific problem at hand. She asserted that the mobile phone line crisis largely stems from employees exploiting citizen data and identity cards to meet assigned objectives. Consequently, addressing these issues requires targeting root causes rather than expanding sensitive biometric data collection in the absence of a defined framework for collection, usage, storage, and protection.

Adly further demanded that sensitive biometric data be placed under the supervision of a sovereign entity equipped with clear mechanisms and a governing legal framework to ensure robust protection. Stressing that digital identity is a complex issue requiring comprehensive legislative preparation rather than a temporary telecommunications fix, she concluded that any new system must guarantee transparency, strict data protection, and clearly defined access permissions to safeguard citizen rights and foster trust in the digital transformation.