Egyptian authorities have arrested several teenage TikTok content creators as part of a growing campaign against online activity deemed inappropriate or unlawful.
The detentions, announced this week, were linked to allegations of violating public morals and breaching financial regulations tied to monetized content.
Officials said the teens were taken into custody after posting videos that investigators claimed encouraged behavior contrary to “family values.”
Some of the charges also involve the use of social media platforms to generate income without proper authorization, reflecting Egypt’s tightening control over digital spaces.
Rights groups have criticized the arrests, arguing that they target freedom of expression and disproportionately affect young people, especially women, who rely on online platforms for visibility and income.
Similar cases in recent years have seen influencers and content creators handed fines or prison sentences under broad cybercrime laws.
The latest crackdown has reignited debate inside Egypt about the balance between state authority and personal freedom in the digital sphere.
While officials defend the measures as necessary for safeguarding society, critics warn the restrictions risk stifling creativity and silencing a new generation of voices emerging on social media.