In Pakistan, the alarming surge of data breaches across both public and private sectors is a matter of serious concern.
BYNOUREEN AKHTAR
MAY 28, 2024
In Pakistan, the alarming surge of data breaches across both public and private sectors is a matter of serious concern. To cater to these breaches Pakistan aims at establishing a Digital Rights Protection Authority with a mandate to oversee social media platform in Pakistan. For that purpose, the government has already initiated a consultation process with all the stakeholders. The main idea driving the establishment of the Digital Rights Protection Authority is to advise the government on issues related to digital rights of actors in a digitally connected global world, promote responsible Internet usage and ensure compliance with regulations. It will also cater ways for investigation of any violations of social media laws.
It is therefore proposed that Authority should have input from a major input from all the media houses in the Pakistan to foster a positive digital ecosystem and regulating content on social media platforms. The government of Pakistan has so far established a cabinet committee which is tasked to consult with media houses and other relevant stakeholder regarding the establishment of the regular authority.
Similarly, proposed Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) Amendment Bill 2024 related to the Digital Rights Protection Authority is also undergoing a push at governmental level to be soon presented in the council. It is even more alarming when it comes to data protection in Pakistan, the problem is not only with the technological shortcomings but a lack of comprehensive data protection legislation. Recently a JIT report was submitted which alleged that sensitive and personal information of as many as 2.7 million citizens had been compromised between 2019 and 2023 from the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).
When it comes to social media landscape in Pakistan the situation is rather insecure. The social media platform X has been blocked in Pakistan for over three months. Whereas, In the first half of 2018, Pakistan made more content restriction requests to Facebook than any other country in the world. When it comes to crimes on internet, legal resources are limited and laws are vague. The country’s electronic crimes law, adopted in 2016, gives the PTA blanket powers to “remove”, “block” or “issue directions to block” it determines as “against the glory of Islam, against the integrity, security and defense of Pakistan, public order, contempt of court, against decency and morality and incitement of any offices.”
Although the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act of 2016 caters electronic crimes, including unauthorized access to personal data, but it still fails to provide a strong legal framework required for protecting the sensitive information of citizens and Pakistan rather finds itself in a very precarious position when it comes to digital protection laws. Pakistan at present clearly lacks comprehensive laws regarding data protection. This gap in legislation structure makes personal data extremely vulnerable and leaves no space for punishment for any such breach.
The world is going digital, and in this fast moving world social media is now a permanent feature of our lives, where people are sharing information every second. Smart use of social media provides a broader outreach for small business owners and brand awareness. However, the landscape of social media-related laws in Pakistan is evolving. Though many bills have been drafted and debated in the past there is a lack of real commitment to propel them forward. It is high time that the government of Pakistan must focus on protecting the privacy of its citizen and ensuring the security of their data. It is high time that Pakistan introduces regulatory measures to guard against such vulnerabilities in digital protection laws by pushing policymakers of the country into action. Since evading this responsibility would challenge individual freedom of privacy and hamper the nation’s advancement in both economic and security.
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