Best Cyber Law, Data Privacy and Data Protection Lawyers in New Cairo

About Cyber Law, Data Privacy and Data Protection Law in New Cairo, Egypt

Cyber Law, Data Privacy and Data Protection in New Cairo is governed by national legislation and enforced by national agencies and courts. Key national laws include the Personal Data Protection Law - commonly referred to as the PDPL - which sets rules for collecting, processing and transferring personal data, and the Cybercrime Law - which criminalizes unauthorized access, hacking, fraud, and a range of online harms. Local practice in New Cairo follows the same statutes and enforcement routes as the rest of Egypt, with cases handled by local law firms, the Public Prosecution, specialized cybercrime units, and administrative regulators.

The practical effect is that individuals and businesses in New Cairo must comply with legal requirements on privacy notices, consent and other lawful bases for processing, data subject rights, security measures, breach handling, and restrictions on cross-border transfers. Criminal conduct such as hacking, identity theft or online extortion may be pursued through criminal channels and can involve urgent investigative steps by the authorities.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

You may need a lawyer if you face any of the following situations in New Cairo:

- You are the victim of an online attack, hacking, phishing or identity theft and need to preserve evidence, report the incident to the authorities and pursue remedies.

- Your business has suffered a personal data breach and you need help with regulatory notifications, communicating with affected individuals, and managing liability.

- You are setting up an online service, app or e-commerce site and need compliant privacy policies, terms of service and data processing agreements.

- You need to negotiate or draft contracts that involve data sharing or cloud hosting, including cross-border transfers and appropriate safeguards.

- You receive a regulatory inquiry, inspection or administrative fine related to data protection or cyber regulations.

- You want to implement governance - for example appointing a data protection officer, conducting data protection impact assessments, or designing an incident response plan.

- You are an employer and need lawful employee monitoring, lawful retention policies and workplace cybersecurity policies that balance business needs with data protection rights.

- You are accused of cybercrime or unlawful data processing and require criminal defence or representation before investigative authorities.

Local Laws Overview

Personal Data Protection Law - The PDPL sets out the legal framework for handling personal data. It defines key terms such as personal data and sensitive personal data, establishes lawful bases for processing, recognizes data subject rights like access, rectification and deletion, and creates rules on transparency and consent. The law also requires controllers to take appropriate technical and organizational security measures, and it sets penalties for unlawful processing.

Cybercrime Law - National cybercrime legislation criminalizes unauthorized access to computer systems, distribution of malware, online fraud and other cyber harms. The law empowers investigative authorities to pursue offenders and to request cooperation from service providers and platforms.

Sectoral and electronic laws - Other laws touch on electronic signatures, telecom regulation and sectoral rules for banking, health and telecommunications. Service providers and platforms operating in Egypt must also comply with content moderation orders and lawful interception or data preservation requests issued by competent authorities.

Enforcement and remedies - Enforcement is carried out by separate authorities depending on the issue. Data protection matters are overseen by the national data protection authority - the body created to supervise PDPL enforcement. Cybercrime investigations are handled by law enforcement cyber units and the Public Prosecution. Remedies can include administrative fines, corrective orders, civil compensation claims and criminal sanctions in serious cases.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as personal data under Egyptian law?

Personal data generally means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person - from names and ID numbers to online identifiers, location data and other information that can identify someone directly or indirectly. Sensitive personal data covers special categories such as health, biometric data and criminal records and receives extra protection.

Do I need consent to process personal data?

Consent is one lawful basis for processing personal data, but it is not the only one. The PDPL recognizes several legal grounds depending on the purpose - for example contractual necessity, legal obligations, vital interests, public tasks or legitimate interests where permitted. The choice of basis affects documentation, transparency and withdrawal procedures.

What rights do individuals have over their data?

Individuals typically have the right to be informed about processing, to access their data, to request rectification, to object to processing in certain circumstances, and to request deletion or restriction. There may also be rights to data portability and to lodge complaints with the data protection authority. Timeframes and specific procedures are governed by the PDPL and related regulations.

What should a business in New Cairo do to comply?

Key steps include mapping the personal data you hold, documenting purposes and legal bases, issuing clear privacy notices, putting in place data processing agreements with vendors, implementing reasonable security measures, training staff, conducting data protection impact assessments for high-risk processing, and establishing an incident response plan.

Do I have to notify the authorities after a data breach?

If a breach risks individuals rights or freedoms, the PDPL requires appropriate notification. Notification obligations may include informing the data protection authority and affected data subjects. The exact timing and content depend on the circumstances and on any specific rules issued by the regulator. Legal advice is recommended to manage notifications and limit liability.

Can personal data be transferred outside Egypt?

Cross-border transfers are restricted unless appropriate safeguards are in place. Safeguards may include contractual clauses, approved transfer mechanisms, or an authority-approved adequacy decision for the destination country. Transfers may also require specific authorizations for certain sensitive categories of data.

What happens if someone hacks my business or website?

If you are hacked, immediate steps should include preserving evidence, containing the incident, activating your incident response plan, assessing data exposure, notifying authorities where required and communicating transparently with affected parties. A lawyer can help coordinate legal notices, regulatory reporting and potential civil or criminal actions.

Can an employer monitor employees computers and communications?

Employer monitoring is possible but must satisfy legal requirements - it should be proportionate, necessary for legitimate business purposes and consistent with employee privacy rights. Employers should document the legal basis, limit monitoring scope, inform employees in advance and implement safeguards to protect sensitive data.

What penalties apply for non-compliance?

Non-compliance can result in administrative fines, corrective measures, civil liability for damages, and in some cases criminal penalties where laws have been breached. Penalty severity depends on the nature of the violation, negligence, harm caused and whether remedial steps were taken promptly.

How do I report a cybercrime or data protection complaint in New Cairo?

Cybercrimes are typically reported to the police cybercrime unit or the Public Prosecution. Data protection complaints can be filed with the national data protection authority. In parallel, preserve evidence, record timelines and contact a lawyer experienced in cyber law and data protection to assist with reporting and follow-up.

Additional Resources

Personal Data Protection Center - the national authority responsible for enforcing data protection rules and handling complaints.

Ministry of Interior - cybercrime units that investigate online crimes and coordinate criminal proceedings.

National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority - regulates telecom operators and related technical requirements.

Ministry of Communications and Information Technology - policy guidance on ICT, cybersecurity initiatives and capacity building.

National or sectoral CERT - national computer emergency response team for incident handling and technical guidance.

Egyptian Bar Association and local New Cairo law firms - for referrals to lawyers with cyber law and data protection experience.

Industry associations and chambers of commerce - many provide compliance guides and training for businesses handling personal data.

Next Steps

If you need legal assistance in New Cairo for cyber law, data privacy or data protection matters follow these practical steps:

- Gather information and documents - prepare a concise chronology, copies of contracts, privacy notices, screenshots, logs, and any correspondence related to the incident or issue.

- Preserve evidence - secure servers, backups, device images and communications. Avoid altering or deleting relevant data and document every preservation step.

- Seek an initial consultation - contact a lawyer with experience in cyber law and data protection to discuss your situation, possible urgent actions and likely outcomes.

- Ask the lawyer about experience, fees, communication and whether they can coordinate technical specialists such as digital forensics experts.

- If you operate a business, begin or update a compliance plan - data mapping, policies, vendor contracts, staff training and an incident response plan are core elements.

- If you are a victim of crime, work with your lawyer to report to the appropriate authorities and to consider civil remedies where applicable.

Note - this guide is informational and does not replace legal advice. For case-specific guidance consult a qualified lawyer in New Cairo who understands the local courts, regulators and the technical aspects of cyber incidents and data protection.