Egypt’s Interior Minister Says Public Has Right to Know Results of Social Media Complaints

Egypt’s Minister of Interior Mahmoud Tawfiq said on 21 October during the “Homeland and Citizen Security” session at Egypt Forum 2026 that the public has the right to know the results of investigations into complaints and videos shared on social media, stressing that the ministry seeks to balance transparency with the protection of privacy.

Tawfiq said complaints shared publicly online can extend beyond personal grievances to become matters of public concern, particularly when they involve incidents that may affect public security.

He noted that complaints posted on social media must be verified, as some may be fabricated, misleading, or taken out of context.

“The public has the right to know what happened with these complaints,” Tawfiq said, explaining that the ministry publishes the results of its examinations on its official social media pages, alongside the original complaint or video and an explanation of the findings.

He added that the ministry presents these findings transparently while taking the necessary precautions to protect individuals’ privacy.

According to Tawfiq, this approach has helped build trust between citizens and security authorities by demonstrating the speed with which complaints and public concerns are addressed.

The minister’s remarks come as social media increasingly serves as a channel through which Egyptians report alleged crimes, document incidents, and seek intervention from authorities.

Egypt Forum 2026 is being held from October 19 to 24 at the St. Regis Hotel in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital. The forum brings together government officials, citizens, experts, and representatives from various sectors to discuss public policies, development priorities, and issues affecting Egyptians’ daily lives. The “Homeland and Citizen Security” session addressed efforts to develop Egypt’s security system and improve responses to citizens’ complaints.