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Egyptian Social Media Stirs Countless Rape, Harassment, Blackmail Allegations

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Egyptian Social Media Stirs Countless Rape, Harassment, Blackmail Allegations

On the night of June 30th, 2020, Two instagram accounts (@shadynoor_ and @skhodirr ) started a PSA accusing an ex student of AUC and various other schools of universities of various sex and sex related crimes against girls of varying ages and nationalities. 

Their PSA brought on the anonymous online testimonies of other girls with the  current number exceeding 100 reports (to date of writing this article). 

Another Instagram account (@assaultpolice) was created to show and document and receive testimonies on the matter and has garnered over 65,000 followers in less than 48 hours.

Ahmed Bassam Zaki, Egyptian Social Media Stirs Countless Rape, Harassment, Blackmail Allegations

Assault Police PSA

Twitter erupted with the hashtag #المتحرش_احمد_بسام_ذكي becoming #1 on Egypt’s trending list (Friday July 3rd, 4 PM CLT). 

As is the case with similar accusations the public opinion is divided between anger, disbelief, discrediting the testimonies and defending the allegations in fear of the accused’s mental health. 

The AssaultPolice account has issued a call for the victims urging them to come forward with their anonymity preserved in official reports in front of Law Enforcement but we are yet to hear of whether the victims have decided to take them up on the offer. 

ahmed bassam zaky 2

Call for survivors to come forward

With Wednesdays and Thursdays not being a primetime for Talkshows, Sherif Amer of MBC Masr’s يحدث في مصر did address the situation and explained, possibly for the first time on primetime television, the true legal ramifications of online harassment, online stalking and other digital based crimes targeting girls.

Amr Adib has ‘spoken on the record’ but off the air with the alleged rapist’s father and that was the outcome.

Fake Accounts Dilemma 

Hours into the story developing, many have reported that two of the “accounts” reporting several allegations against the same person have turned out to be “fake accounts” which has stirred a conversation on whether or not this can undermine the case or, worse, raise serious doubts over the allegations.

By Saturday July 4th, the accused man was apprehended for questioning by law enforcement and has pleaded not guilty to all accusations against him, he has not been officially charged to date of publication.

As of July 6th, Assault Police has reported that two ladies have actually been to submit an official report and have come out reporting complete support and understanding from the Public Attorney’s office. The account now also has a website () which documents all allegations and gives victims tips and support on how to come forward.

This case is eerily similar to the wave of #MeToo sweeping over the US and various other countries against men in power using their connections and money to attack, use, manipulate and blackmail women which results in Harvey Weinstein, former CEO and Co-Founder of Miramax and Cinema mogul to be sentenced for 23 years in prison with other trials still pending.

This goes to show the power social media has in supporting sexual assault and sexual harassment victims and, subsequently, raising awareness about predators and creating a safe space for victims.

This story is still developing. 

We urge victims of harassment, blackmail, molestation or sexual assault to please call 15115, the hotline for Egyptian females suffering from any sort of abuse, you are not alone.

Disclaimer: Digital Boom is reporting on the facts related to the viral-ity of the topic on Social Media Platforms, Blogs, Forums and News Sites and is in no way an accusatory instrument nor does it claim any affiliations to any of the parties involved in the current scandal.  We have also decided not to post any screenshots depicting the alleged attacks as it may trigger survivors and current victims.

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Saudi Fintech Lendo Signs MOU with J.P. Morgan

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Saudi Startup Lendo Joins Forces with J.P. Morgan to Enhance SME Financing

Lendo, a Saudi Arabia-based Shariah-compliant crowdlending marketplace, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today with J.P. Morgan to improve access to financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the country.

The MOU was signed during 24 Fintech, a premier fintech event that brings together industry leaders, innovators, and investors in Riyadh.

J.P. Morgan and Lendo are working together on potential opportunities to support the SME sector in Saudi Arabia in growing and sustaining the remarkable demand in this market.

“This strategic collaboration with J.P. Morgan, a pioneer in the financial industry, marks a significant milestone for Lendo,” said Osama Alraee, CEO and co-founder of Lendo. “By combining our strengths, we’ll deliver cutting-edge financial solutions to SMEs, supporting their growth and contributing directly to the realization of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.”

The SME financing landscape in MENA presents a substantial market opportunity as limited financial access continues to restrict the growth of the region’s businesses, with commercial banks hesitant to issue loans to SMEs at scale, resulting in a high percentage of declined financing requests annually.

The total SME financing gap in developing countries is estimated to be approximately $5.2 trillion, according to the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

Lendo’s debt crowdfunding platform aims to bridge the financing gap for SMEs, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030’s goal to significantly expand SME lending from 4% in 2018 to 20% by 2030.

According to the latest available report from the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), the total value of debt crowdfunding in Saudi Arabia surged from SAR 1.4 million in 2019 to SAR 771 million in 2022, marking a remarkable growth.

Lendo raised SAR 132 million ($35.2 million) in total funding from leading investors, including the most recent Series B led by Sanabil Investments, a wholly-owned company by the Public Investment Fund (PIF).

Since its inception in December 2019, Saudi fintech Lendo has processed over 5,000 financing transactions on its platform, providing over SAR 2 billion ($600 million) in financing to SMEs and generating SAR 280 million ($74 million) in returns for investors.

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TA Telecom Introduces AnteThink: A New AI Decision Support Tool

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**TA Telecom Introduces AnteThink: A New AI Decision Support Tool for Enhanced Decision-Making**

TA Telecom, a prominent player in the Middle East’s tech sector, has unveiled AnteThink, an AI-driven tool designed to enhance decision-making processes for individuals and businesses alike.

With a history of influencing the tech landscape through various initiatives, including advanced mobile solutions, high-volume payment platforms, and ventures in e-commerce, fintech, and analytics, TA Telecom has carved a niche for itself. Serving a vast user base of 40 million and processing an impressive 15 billion transactions across its platforms, TA Telecom has cemented its position as a tech industry leader, with some of its ventures achieving the status of Y Combinator companies.

Established in 2000, TA Telecom has emerged as a prominent player in the technology sector. With over 40 million users and processing 15 billion transactions annually, TA Telecom has made a notable impact. Recognized for its contributions by the Financial Times and featured on Deloitte’s list of fastest-growing tech companies in EMEA, TA Telecom is known for its adaptability and forward-thinking approach in the ever-evolving global tech landscape.

Sameh Ibrahim, CEO of TA Telecom, highlights the potential of AnteThink: “AnteThink reflects our commitment to leverage technology for practical impact. It aims to provide clarity and confidence in decision-making, whether in the professional or personal sphere. AnteThink is a tool that can empower startup founders, executives, and individuals to make more informed choices, alleviating the stress and uncertainty often associated with critical decision-making.”

Mostafa Ashour, CEO of Y Combinator-backed startup NowPay, shared his perspective on AnteThink: “AnteThink transformed our strategic planning, allowing us to explore various scenarios and prepare for different outcomes. It has strengthened our decision-making process, helping us navigate the complexities of the business landscape.”

AnteThink embodies TA Telecom’s commitment to innovation, focusing on supporting the startup ecosystem. The tool is tailored to help leaders and executives navigate the complexities of business management and strategic development by providing a clear picture of potential outcomes.

Key Features of AnteThink include:

1. Second Order Mode: Offering a comprehensive analysis of broader impacts, fostering a strategic mindset for long-term success.

2. Optionality Mode: Enabling detailed evaluation and comparison of different choices to ensure decisions align with strategic objectives and values.

3. Inversion Mode: Focusing on identifying and mitigating potential risks, thereby strengthening risk management strategies.

TA Telecom Introduces AnteThink: A New AI Decision Support Tool for Enhanced Decision-Making

Credit: Antethink

AnteThink’s advanced AI technology aims to assist decision-makers with insightful analytics, offering guidance through the decision-making process.

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GoDaddy’s Global Markets VP Predicts Egypt’s E-commerce to Hit $9.88 Billion by 2028

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GoDaddy's Global Markets VP Predicts Egypt's E-commerce to Hit $9.88 Billion by 2028

Selina Bieber, the Senior Director of Global Markets at GoDaddy, has predicted a significant increase in Egypt’s e-commerce revenue. By 2028, it could reach $9.88 billion.

Godaddy is forming strategic partnerships and launching initiatives to help local entrepreneurs. These efforts align with Egypt’s digital transformation goals and its Vision 2030.

In an interview with the Arabic financial news “Amwal Al Ghad,” Bieber spoke about GoDaddy’s plans and how they match Egypt’s 2023 strategy. She highlighted the company’s aim to provide effective, easy-to-use digital tools and services. By 2024, GoDaddy wants to serve more customers in Egypt by making its digital tools more widespread.

The company is working closely with the Egyptian government, especially the Ministry of Planning. They are offering training programs to improve the digital skills of startups and existing businesses. GoDaddy’s services in Egypt include domain registration, web hosting, e-commerce solutions, and digital marketing tools.

Recent surveys support Bieber’s positive outlook for e-commerce in Egypt. They show a clear trend towards digital strategies among small businesses. Many are realizing the importance of having an online presence for their growth and success.

As GoDaddy continues its partnerships and supports government digital initiatives, its influence on Egypt’s digital landscape is growing. The company is committed to sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint. It aims not just for business growth but also to contribute to a sustainable and thriving digital economy in Egypt.

The 2028 projection indicates a vast potential for e-commerce, with GoDaddy playing a key role in this digital evolution.

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