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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has so far blocked more than 1.3 million unlawful URLs hosted on different social media platforms, websites, apps, etc.
Official documents revealed that if the reported URL (link) is hosted on an unsecured platform (HTTP) or a complete website is required to be taken down, then it is blocked locally through the WMS system installed by PTA and Internet Service Providers (ISPs). In such a case where blocking of any major social media platform is required, PTA informs the federal government prior to blocking.
If the URL is hosted on a secure platform, i.e., at HTTPS protocols, etc., then the administration of the concerned website/application is approached to remove the unlawful content hosted on its respective platform.
PTA believes that the removal/blocking of unlawful online content is not sufficient to ensure a safe online environment. Hence, PTA has collaborated with various local and international organizations, including UNICEF, Telenor, HEC, Meta, TikTok, etc., to create public awareness regarding safe and responsible use of the Internet.
Under PECA 2016, the Authority has developed the following mechanisms to handle unlawful online content.
Liaison with Major Social Media Platforms
PTA has developed dedicated reporting channels with all major social media platforms for the removal/blocking of unlawful online content hosted on their respective platforms. In addition to reporting, regular consultation sessions with major SM platforms are held to discuss further content issues and collaboration.
Complaint Mechanism
The Authority has developed complaint mechanisms for the general public as well as government organizations to report unlawful online content to PTA.
Details of the PTA’s complaint mechanism are as follows.
(a) Complaints by Stakeholder Organization:
In pursuance of Rule 4(3) of Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards) Rules 2021, an online E-portal has been developed and its access has been provided to stakeholder organizations to lodge complaints according to their domain/scope of work.
Currently, there are 49 Stakeholders, including the Law Enforcement Agencies, Provincial Home Departments, MoFA, MoI, SECP, SBP, BISP, Ministries, Armed Forces, etc., using the said portal.
