Best E-commerce & Internet Law Lawyers in New Cairo

About E-commerce & Internet Law in New Cairo, Egypt

E-commerce and internet law in New Cairo falls under the national legal framework of the Arab Republic of Egypt. Rules that affect online businesses, websites, marketplaces, payment services, and digital platforms are set by a combination of statutes, regulations and administrative guidance. New Cairo is part of the Cairo governorate and uses the same national laws and regulators as the rest of Egypt, but businesses based in New Cairo should also be aware of local practical matters - such as local courts, tax offices and the Cairo Bar Association - when seeking legal help.

Key legal themes for e-commerce include business registration and licensing, consumer protection, electronic contracts and signatures, personal data protection, cybercrime and security, payment and fintech regulation, taxation and customs for cross-border trade, intellectual property, and advertising and marketing rules.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Online business and internet activity often raise legal issues that benefit from specialist advice. Common situations where you may need a lawyer include:

- Starting an online business or marketplace - choosing the right business form, registering with the commercial registry and meeting licensing requirements.

- Drafting terms of service, privacy policies and seller agreements to reduce commercial and regulatory risk.

- Handling consumer disputes, returns, warranties and compliance with mandatory consumer information rules.

- Ensuring compliance with data protection rules and implementing lawful data collection and processing practices.

- Responding to cybercrime, fraud, hacking or phishing incidents and working with authorities to preserve evidence and pursue remedies.

- Advising on electronic signatures, digital contracting and the enforceability of online agreements.

- Navigating payment gateway, fintech, and Central Bank of Egypt requirements for accepting online payments.

- Protecting intellectual property - trademark registration, takedown notices and enforcement against counterfeiters.

- Structuring cross-border sales, customs and VAT treatment, and complying with export restrictions or sanctions.

- Defending or pursuing claims in court or arbitration, including domain disputes, platform liability and defamation.

Local Laws Overview

Several national laws and regulatory bodies shape e-commerce and internet activity in New Cairo and across Egypt. The following summary highlights the most relevant legal areas without exhaustive detail.

- Electronic signatures and electronic transactions - Egyptian law recognizes electronic records and electronic signatures for many legal acts. Businesses should adopt secure signature solutions and document authentication methods consistent with the law for higher-value or regulated transactions.

- Personal data protection - Egypt has enacted a data protection regime that regulates the collection, processing and transfer of personal data. Businesses must implement privacy notices, lawful bases for processing, technical and organizational measures for data security, and procedures for responding to data subject requests and data breaches.

- Cybercrime and cybersecurity - Laws criminalize hacking, unauthorized access, data theft, online fraud, cyber extortion and publication of certain types of content. There are criminal penalties and administrative sanctions for violations, and authorities may investigate serious incidents.

- Consumer protection - Online sellers must comply with consumer protection rules that govern clear pre-contract information, cancellation and return rights, warranties and language requirements for consumer-facing documents. Consumer protection agencies can investigate complaints and impose fines.

- Payment services and fintech - The Central Bank of Egypt regulates payment service providers, electronic wallets and some fintech activities. Payment processors and marketplaces must meet licensing, anti-money laundering and know-your-customer rules when applicable.

- Taxation and customs - E-commerce businesses must register for applicable taxes, including VAT where relevant, and report sales. Cross-border sellers must consider customs duties and import rules for goods delivered to Egyptian customers.

- Intellectual property - Copyright, trademark and design laws protect digital content, branding and software. Online platforms must have processes to address infringement notices and takedown requests.

- Advertising and marketing - Rules regulate truthful advertising, comparative claims, promotions and influencer marketing. Special rules may apply to regulated goods and sensitive sectors.

- Telecommunications and domain regulation - The National Telecommunication Regulatory Authority and related bodies regulate certain telecom and connectivity matters and domain name registration. Disputes over domains or hosting can involve administrative processes or the courts.

Regulatory oversight in these areas can involve several ministries and authorities. Practical compliance requires keeping up with new regulatory guidance and aligning commercial practices with national requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to register a company to run an online store in New Cairo?

Yes - most online commercial activities require a legally registered commercial entity or a sole proprietorship registered with the commercial registry. Business registration ensures you can open bank accounts, enter contracts, register for taxes and comply with consumer and product regulations. A lawyer can help choose the right legal form and complete registration steps.

Are electronic contracts valid in Egypt?

Yes - electronic contracts are generally valid where they meet the legal requirements for offer, acceptance and intention to create legal relations. Certain transactions may still require written or notarized documents. Using recognized electronic signature solutions and clear contract records improves enforceability.

What privacy obligations do I have for customer data?

You must provide a clear privacy notice explaining what personal data you collect, the purpose of processing, retention periods and rights of data subjects. You should implement appropriate security measures, limit data to what is necessary, and follow rules on cross-border transfers. You must also have procedures for responding to data subject requests and report severe breaches if required by law.

Who is responsible for user-generated content on my platform?

Liability can depend on whether you act as a passive host, intentional publisher or active editor. Platforms that exercise editorial control or know about illegal content and fail to act may face legal exposure. Having terms of use, clear content takedown procedures and prompt action on notices reduces risk.

What should my terms and conditions and privacy policy include?

Terms and conditions should cover scope of services, user obligations, payment and refund terms, intellectual property, limitation of liability and dispute resolution. Privacy policies must explain data collection, legal bases, recipients of data, retention and data subject rights. Ensure consumer-facing language is clear and in Arabic where required.

How do I handle payment processing and PCI compliance?

Work with regulated payment service providers that meet Central Bank and anti-money laundering requirements. Ensure secure handling of cardholder data and follow payment card industry data security standards where applicable. Legal advice can help structure agreements with payment gateways and allocate liability.

What happens if my business is hacked or I experience fraud?

Preserve evidence, limit further damage, notify affected parties as required, and report the incident to the relevant authorities. Depending on the nature of the incident, civil and criminal remedies may be available. A lawyer can coordinate with cybersecurity experts and authorities, and advise on regulatory notification obligations.

How are consumer returns and refunds regulated for online sales?

Consumer protection rules require clear pre-contract information about prices, delivery and cancelation or return rights. For certain consumer sales there may be a statutory right to cancel within a specified period and rules on refunds and seller obligations. Make sure your return policy reflects legal minimums and is communicated to buyers.

Do I need to register trademarks or protect my software in Egypt?

Trademark registration is strongly recommended to protect your brand in Egypt. Copyright protection applies automatically to original works and software, but formal registration can help with enforcement. For high-value brands and software, register trademarks and maintain documentation proving authorship and development.

If I sell cross-border, what legal issues should I expect?

Cross-border sales raise tax and customs questions, differing consumer protections, payment and currency considerations, and potential export or import restrictions. You should set clear terms on applicable law, delivery and responsibility for customs, and ensure compliance with sanctions and trade controls where relevant.

Additional Resources

Useful institutions and bodies that deal with aspects of e-commerce and internet law in Egypt include:

- Ministry of Communications and Information Technology - for national IT policy and guidance.

- National Telecommunication Regulatory Authority - for telecom and certain internet infrastructure matters.

- Central Bank of Egypt - for payment and fintech regulation.

- Consumer protection authority or ministry responsible for consumer affairs - for complaints and compliance on consumer rights.

- Ministry of Trade and Industry and General Authority for Investment and Free Zones - for business registration and commercial law matters.

- Personal Data Protection Center or designated authority overseeing data protection - for guidance on privacy and data compliance.

- Egyptian Patent and Trademark Office - for intellectual property registration and enforcement.

- Cairo Bar Association and local law firms with e-commerce and IT specialisms - for finding qualified legal counsel in New Cairo.

- Cybersecurity incident-response teams and accredited security firms - for technical incident management.

Next Steps

If you need legal assistance for an e-commerce or internet matter in New Cairo, consider the following practical steps:

- Gather documents and facts - prepare business registration documents, contracts, platform screenshots, transaction records, correspondence, and any relevant technical logs or incident reports.

- Identify what you need - clarify whether you need preventative compliance advice, contract drafting, data protection assessment, incident response, dispute resolution or representation in court.

- Find the right lawyer - look for attorneys with experience in e-commerce, IT law, data protection and cybercrime. Ask for examples of similar matters, client references and transparent fee structures.

- Arrange an initial consultation - many lawyers offer an initial meeting to assess the case. Use it to confirm scope, timelines and costs, and to get a practical action plan.

- Implement immediate risk controls - if facing urgent risks such as security breaches, freezing accounts, or consumer complaints, follow the lawyer and technical advisors recommendations immediately to preserve evidence and limit liability.

- Plan for compliance - after resolving urgent matters, implement longer-term compliance measures - clear terms and privacy policies, proper contracting, staff training, security measures and regular legal reviews.

Legal issues in e-commerce and internet law can move quickly. Early specialist advice reduces operational, regulatory and reputational risks. For matters based in New Cairo, work with counsel familiar with Egyptian national law and local courts and regulators.