Amidst declining internet speeds, Pakistan's government reveals the deployment of a web monitoring system to block illegal content. The move raises concerns about censorship and internet freedom.
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| The Pakistani government's use of a web monitoring system to block illegal content has sparked debates about internet freedom and censorship. The move comes amidst concerns about declining internet speeds. Symbolic Image |
Islamabad, Pakistan- August 31, 2024:
Pakistan's National Assembly has confirmed the deployment of a Web Monitoring System (WMS) by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). This system is used to block applications and websites deemed illegal according to Pakistani law.
The confirmation comes amidst concerns about declining internet speeds and allegations of government attempts to throttle internet traffic. The business community and internet service providers (ISPs) had blamed a recent slowdown on government efforts to monitor internet traffic, including a possible firewall.
However, both the government and PTA previously denied these claims. The government attributed the slowdown to a faulty submarine cable, while the PTA blamed VPN misuse.
According to a written response submitted to the National Assembly, the WMS has been used to block 2,369 URLs and 183 mobile applications. The response specifies that these applications and websites were involved in exposing personal data or identity information, violating privacy norms.
The document further acknowledges the limitations of the WMS, particularly regarding access to illegal content through Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). It argues that effectively enforcing the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act requires controlling VPN misuse, which is currently "well established to be very difficult" for the PTA.
The confirmation of the WMS raises questions about potential limitations on internet freedom in Pakistan. While the government cites data privacy concerns as justification, concerns remain about broader content blocking and potential censorship.