An Egyptian influencer has been arrested for “inciting debauchery” after encouraging youngsters to make money by live streaming.
TikTok and Instagram influencer Haneen Hossam was reportedly arrested on the morning of 21st April after her online video sparked outrage in Egypt.
The local authorities have accused her of “inciting debauchery” and “violating public morals”, according to reports.
In the footage posted on the app Likee, the online star offered women aged over 18 years the chance to work from home and earn around 2,500 to 3,000 USD (2,025 to 2,430 GBP) for making live videos and talking to strangers.
She added: “You will be able to form friendships with people in a respectable way.”
The influencer, who is also a student at Cairo University, may face expulsion over the video as well as criminal proceedings, according to local media.
Egyptian feminist Ghadeer Ahmed was one of the few high-profile people to defend Hossam and claimed that she had been the target of numerous bullying campaigns by the authorities.
She said: “This video went viral and some TV hosts and YouTubers started to incite against her, saying she wants to hire young Egyptian women as ‘digital sex workers,’ which is illegal and goes against the so-called public moralities.”
A social media user said: “This is the same as prostitution. Instead of engaging in intercourse, they are just showing their bodies.”
Another netizen commented: “TikTok, Likee and apps like these should all be banned in Arab countries. I myself don’t like them.”
Before her arrest, the Hossam released a video defending her post and claiming that she did not call for ‘debauchery’.
The influencer added: “There are famous actors that use TikTok. Does this mean they work in prostitution?”
The investigation continues.
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Story By: Lee Bullen, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Newsflash
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