Data Breach, Real Consequences: Egyptian Court Orders EGP 10 Million Compensation Against Telecom Operator

In a notable data breach liability ruling in Egypt, an Egyptian court ordered a licensed telecom operator to pay EGP 10 million in compensation after an unauthorized SIM replacement resulted in unlawful access to subscriber accounts. The decision reinforces statutory data protection obligations under Egyptian law

Background of the Dispute

In a recent court case, a telecom customer filed a claim against one of the licensed mobile operators in Egypt for negligence and failure to take the necessary actions to protect her personal data and mobile line. The case was brought by the customer, who resides abroad, after discovering that her mobile SIM card had been replaced without her knowledge or approval. The new SIM card was then unlawfully used to access her accounts on social networking platforms, primarily WhatsApp and Facebook. The customer also faced difficulty with the mobile provider, which refused to provide her with a copy of the agreement signed between the