PTA Blocks 183 Mobile Apps, Launches Web Monitoring System
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has blocked 183 mobile applications and 2369 Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) under a newly installed Web Monitoring System (WMS). According to an official response submitted to the National Assembly on August 30, the blocked applications are reported to be involved in various unlawful activities, including gambling, fraudulent schemes, and the distribution of explicit content.
The blocked applications have been linked to various unlawful activities, including gambling, fraud, and the distribution of explicit content. The WMS, leveraging advanced Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) technology, enables the PTA to monitor and filter internet traffic, blocking content that violates national laws, such as those related to religious sensitivities, immoral content, and activities deemed against the state.
However, implementing these measures has sparked concerns about internet disruptions nationwide. While the PTA has attributed these issues to a submarine cable fault, widespread speculation exists that the slowdowns are linked to the new internet firewalls installed at Pakistan’s main internet gateways. These firewalls are reported to be capable of blocking access to various websites and social media platforms, raising concerns about the impact on digital freedoms and business operations.
Information Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja has denied allegations that the government is deliberately slowing down the internet, stating that the upgrades to the WMS are focused solely on enhancing cybersecurity.
In response to questions raised by PPP MNA Shahida Rehman, the Minister in charge of the Cabinet Division confirmed the deployment of the WMS and acknowledged the difficulties in fully complying with the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) due to the continued misuse of Virtual Private Network (VPN). Despite “geo-blocking at the gateway level,” the PTA has struggled to prevent access to banned content via VPNs completely.
PTA has also introduced a VPN registration system to ensure that only authorized VPNs are used within the country. This measure aims to prevent the misuse of VPNs, which has been a significant challenge for the PTA in effectively enforcing content restrictions. PTA has also registered 20,437 VPNs as part of an ongoing initiative to regulate VPN usage within the country.
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