Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Egypt introduced strict online rules to protect children, criminalising cyberbullying and exploitation, banning the sharing of minors’ data, and promoting balanced supervision as lawmakers move to regulate children’s access to social media and digital platforms nationwide.
The UAE has introduced a far-reaching Child Digital Safety Law that applies to both local and foreign platforms targeting UAE users. With risk-based classification, age safeguards, and extraterritorial reach, the framework reshapes compliance for digital platforms and ISPs ahead of full enforcement in 2027.
Nepal has released a draft Electronic Commerce Directive to regulate online shopping through mandatory registration, digital payments, data protection, and grievance mechanisms. The proposal strengthens consumer rights, introduces compliance oversight, and aims to formalize and modernize the country’s growing eCommerce ecosystem.
Bangladesh rewrote its telecom policy in 2025, introducing new licensing rules, surveillance reforms, and satellite internet entry. While the reset addressed long-standing issues, concerns remain over foreign ownership caps, regulatory independence, and competitive balance.
An Egyptian senator has proposed a comprehensive digital and regulatory overhaul of the country’s real estate sector through the creation of a unified national framework. The plan includes a new regulatory authority, mandatory escrow accounts, standardised contracts, a national digital monitoring platform, and a specialised real estate judicial unit. Designed to protect buyers, stabilise the market, and attract foreign investment, the proposal aligns with Egypt’s digital transformation strategy and draws on international regulatory models.
The Algiers Declaration on Digital Platforms in Africa has been adopted as a new framework to regulate global online streaming services, including AI platforms and social media networks. Announced by Algeria’s Minister of Post and Telecommunications, the declaration aims to establish unified regulatory standards across the continent. It is intended to strengthen digital governance, protect consumer rights, and reinforce Africa’s digital sovereignty as global platforms continue to expand their influence in regional markets.
Nepal has lifted its social media ban after protests left 19 dead and more than 100 injured. The government had blocked unregistered platforms under a new law, but mounting backlash from civil groups, businesses, and users forced it to suspend the move, restoring access while negotiations continue.
The Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR-25) in Riyadh concluded with new ITU Best Practice Guidelines urging regulators to become digital ecosystem builders. The framework emphasizes innovation, cross-border cooperation, and inclusivity, enabling sustainable digital growth and positioning regulation as a catalyst for public trust and economic transformation.
Jordan’s TRC, led by Chairperson Bassam Sarhan, participated in the Global Symposium for Regulators in Riyadh, highlighting digital inclusion, ICT accessibility, and best practices. The Commission also held meetings with international firms to strengthen partnerships and align with global digital regulatory trends.
Dr Gift Machengete of POTRAZ has called on global regulators to embrace adaptive and inclusive governance models to keep pace with AI, blockchain, and IoT. Highlighting evidence-based regulation, innovation sandboxes, and multi-stakeholder engagement, he stressed the importance of balancing innovation, consumer protection, and sustainability in digital transformation.