Is Two-Party Consent Recording Legal in Egypt After the 2026 Policy Reforms?

Yes, two-party consent recording is legal in Egypt under strict conditions. The Penal Code and Electronic Crimes Law regulate interception, requiring prior informed consent from all parties. Unauthorized recording may lead to criminal liability under Articles 309–311 of the Penal Code or Article 14 of Law No. 175 of 2018.

  • Penal Code (Articles 309–311): Unlawful interception of private communications, including recordings, is punishable by imprisonment or fines if conducted without consent. Intent to harm or disclose content exacerbates penalties.
  • Electronic Crimes Law (Law No. 175/2018, Article 14): Explicitly criminalizes unauthorized interception of electronic communications, encompassing audio recordings. Violations may result in up to 2 years’ imprisonment and fines up to EGP 500,000.
  • Data Protection Law (Draft Law 2026): Proposed reforms may introduce stricter consent requirements for audio recordings, aligning with GDPR-like principles. Compliance with the Egyptian Data Protection Center (EDPC) will likely become mandatory.

Enforcement prioritizes cases involving public figures, corporate espionage, or evidence tampering. Businesses must document consent in writing or via verifiable digital acknowledgment to mitigate legal exposure.