Study: Digital blackmail threatens security of Egyptian women, girls

Cyberbullying and online blackmail against women in Egypt is on the rise, according to a study published by the Speak Up initiative in March.

The organization links cyberbullying and digital blackmail to instances of psychological distress and fear, and in some cases, to suicide or suicidal ideation.

The study was released shortly after the death of student Nayera Salah, whose story circulated in the media during recent weeks after she took her own life after being bullied  by  fellow students at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Arish University.

The study, the Reality of cyberbullying and blackmail crimes in Egypt, cited the cases of Bassant Khaled and Haidi Shahata, aged 17 and 14 respectively, who both died in January 2022 after being victims of online extortion.

Although instances of cyberbullying and digital blackmail are becoming more frequent, official legal statistics are lacking.

The latest official statistics date back to 2018, compiled by Parliament’s Communications and Information Technology Committee in conjunction with the issuance of the anti-cyber and information technology crimes law. Speak Up reports that September and October of that year saw 1,038 reports filed on digital crimes.

Results from a social media survey conducted by Speak Up based on 3,176 participating individuals who had been subject to blackmail showed that only 10 percent filed official complaints with authorities. Only 10 percent of these individuals filed official complaints due to a lack of knowledge around reporting mechanisms, a fear of family members, or a fear of the consequences of reporting their blackmailer. Ninety percent of the respondents were women.

The study found that Egyptian laws criminalizing digital blackmail and cyberbullying do not effectively protect the victims due to a lack of appropriate mechanisms for enforcement. Additionally, digital investigation units are slow to respond to such reports. The survey showed that only 11 percent of the complaints resulted in the perpetrator being apprehended, while 41 percent of the complaints ended with the case dismissed and no action taken.

The study recommended making legislative amendments to address what it describes as the “weakness” of punitive laws regarding cybercrimes, including providing a clear definition of digital blackmail in the anti-cyber and information technology crimes law. It also suggested amending Article 327 of the penal code related to blackmail and threats to include both traditional and digital forms of both. This aims to prevent cyber blackmailers from escaping punishment due to the absence of legal provisions that penalize their actions.

The study also recommended criminalizing the digital dissemination and re-publishing of information related to blackmail incidents, and noted that no existing laws currently prohibit this behavior.

Specific and separate articles on digital blackmail should also be added to the legislation to clarify an existing clause on the "invasion of privacy and violation of family values." The study emphasizes that training courses for judges and court employees could help prevent "family values" being open to interpretations that could punish the victims as has happened in some instances.

Women police officers should be employed within digital investigation departments, says Speak Up, to reassure victims reporting incidents. Capacity building could be conducted for officers interacting with victims, as well as discouraging practices whereby victims are used to apprehend blackmailers. 

Additionally, the study proposed the inclusion of a provision within Law 175/2018 that regulates the confidentiality of complaints and investigations. In case of publication, the victims personal information should not be disclosed, and legal actions should be taken against newspapers that publish reporters’ data.

Awareness campaigns could guide parents to eliminate forms of domestic violence, says the study, as these crimes are often committed due to fear of family, and fear for reputation and honor. Parents should not blame people being subject to online bullying, the study concludes.