Fake News Watch: Oiling cogs of rumor mill with talk of social media monitoring

  • A weekly roundup of bogus reports and phony facts in the mainstream and social media

 Egypt denies snooping claims

The Egyptian Communications Ministry has denied that a new draft law aimed at targeting rumors would mean that the government will monitor the conversations of social media users. 

A post on the Egyptian Cabinet鈥檚 official Facebook account denied rumors being circulated on social platforms claiming that the government will be going through peoples鈥� chats. 

Local media reported that the Parliament is working to introduce a draft law aimed at imposing heavy penalties on people spreading rumors, which it says destabilize the Egyptian state.

 

Pressing for facts on 鈥榙upe鈥� olive oil 

The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment said it has not received any information regarding the alleged
selling of 鈥渄upe鈥� olive oil in the country鈥檚 markets. 

A report by Emarat Al-Youm newspaper said a ministry official has denied claims that fake olive oil is being sold in the country. 

Director of the Food Security Department at the ministry,
Majid Al-Harbawi, was quoted by the newspaper urging residents to communicate with authorities to verify the authenticity of the information prior to circulation.