Egypt's president approves law for ride-hailing apps

CAIRO (AP) - Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has approved a law governing popular ride-hailing apps Uber and Careem after the companies appealed a court ruling that revoked their licenses.

El-Sisi's approval was reported in the country's official gazette on Sunday. The law establishes the basis for operating licenses and fees, and requires licensed companies to store user data for 180 days and make it available to Egyptian security authorities upon request.ˆ 

Uber and Careem welcomed the draft law when the parliament approved it in May.

Both companies provide smartphone apps that connect passengers with drivers who work as independent contractors. An administrative court in Cairo had ruled in March that it is illegal to use private vehicles as taxis.