Government Implemented a National Firewall to Regulate Social Media Content
FOE Link or motive by PPF
ConfirmedCase Update Status
Firewall being installed to rein in social media
Summary of Case
On June 07, 2024, Firewall being installed to rein in social media in Pakistan. To regulate online content, the Government of Pakistan installed a national firewall across various internet service providers (ISPs) to control and block unwanted content on social media. A well-placed official, when asked if the firewall had been purchased, confirmed to The News, “It is already bought. Now it is being installed and commissioned.” Pakistan has previously utilized similar technology to block specific websites and social media applications. In 2013, filters from Canada-based Nets weeper were installed on the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), the country’s largest ISP, which handles over 65% of Pakistan’s submarine cable traffic. The new firewall aims to inspect data from various internet protocol addresses, identifying the origins of propaganda material and limiting the visibility of such content. An official involved in the planning stated, “The national firewall will serve two purposes: identify the locations from where the propaganda material is being originated and the subsequent blockade or diminished coverage of those accounts.” He added, “The main focus will remain on locating the source of such propaganda to nip the evil in the bud.” This system will feature a keyword filtering mechanism to detect and obscure content deemed undesirable or harmful to national security. Such posts will be masked and rendered invisible to the broader online audience. Social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter) will be subject to this inspection. Preparations are also underway to curb the misuse of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), potentially requiring citizens to register their VPN usage with Pakistan. In an interview on January 26, then-interim Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar disclosed plans to “regulate” social media in Pakistan. Senator Afnan Ullah Khan of the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) echoed this sentiment in a May 3 interview, mentioning the government’s plan to implement a firewall to monitor social media platforms."
Category of Incident
Censorship
ICCS Status
ICCS Divisions: 0803-Acts related to freedom of expression or control of expression
ICCS Group: 08039-Other acts related to freedom of expression or control of expression
ICCS Class:
ICCS Crime: Acts related to freedom of expression or control of expression
Reported By
The News
Date of incident
07
Month
June
Year
2024
Name of affected person
N/A
Other affected persons
N/A
Name of affected organization
ISPS- Internet Service Providers and social media
Other affected organizations
No
Action by
The Government of Pakistan
City
Nationwide
Province
Nationwide
Designation
N/A
Professional category
N/A
Age of victim
N/A
Marital Status
N/ACompensation Details
Amount of compensation announced by government: N/A
Date of compensation announcement by government: N/A
Date of compensation paid by government: N/A
Amount of compensation announced by others: N/A
Date of compensation announced by others: N/A
Date compensation paid by others: N/A
FIR Details
Was FIR registered ?: No
Court Details
Was case investigated ?: Case was not initiated before any court
Court where case was presented: Case was not initiated before any court
Name of prosecuting lawyer: N/A
Date of first court hearing:
Date of last court hearing:
Status of court case: N/A
Journalist Union Status
PFUJ
Not condemned
APNS
Not condemned
CPNE
Not condemned
PBA
Not condemned
Condemn Status
Colleague of victim
N/A
Employer organization
N/A
Press Club Status
Press club 1: No version was required
Press club 2: No version was required
Press club 3: No version was required