Egypt’s Minister of Communication and Information Technology Atef Helmy said on Saturday that his ministry is reviewing the legality of using cross-platform mobile messaging applications such as Viber and WhatsApp.
In exclusive statements to the Anadolu Agency, the minister said a ministerial panel is now reviewing the use of applications that allow users to exchange calls and messages via the Internet, particularly if these applications are used by terrorist groups, to see whether they can pose threats to Egypt’s national security.
“The committee is supposed to write a report about its recommendations once it completes the review,” Helmy said. “The report will of course address concerns about using these applications by terrorist groups.”
The minister said that the authorities would take the necessary measures regarding any applications that violate Egyptian laws.
Saudi authorities had earlier blocked Viber, an application that allows users to exchange messages without having to pay for SMS, because it does not abide by the systems applied in the kingdom.
Helmy said the Egyptian government does not intend to impose restrictions on the use of social networking websites Facebook and Twitter, although he said these websites are also being considered by a ministerial committee.
“The committee has not made any recommendations regarding the two websites yet,” Helmy said.
Viber Media was founded by American-Israeli entrepreneur Tolmon Marco who served in Israel’s Army for four years, according to the collaboratively edited website Wikipedia.
Around 250 million people use Viber across the world.