ISLAMABAD: In the light of Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 469 mobile apps have been blocked by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) because they contained unlawful content. Here’s a detailed overview:
Background
PECA ACT: The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 (commonly known as Peca) is a piece of legislation in Pakistan designed to address unlawful online activity. It attempts to create a legal background for dealing with electronic communication offences such as cyber terrorism, data theft and illegal content sharing.
Reason for Blocking Apps
According to the PTA, it has banned 469 mobile applications under Section 5 of PECA due to presence /delivery/procurement/dissemination or transmission of unlawful content. this includes, but is not limited to:
- Sexually Explicit Material: Kat Sekula/she knows obscenity when she sees it.
- Hate Speech: Content that incites hatred against, promotes discrimination of or disparages an individual or group on the basis of race, ethnicity, ethnic origin, nationality, religion.
- Terrorist Content — any kind of information or other material related to terrorist activities (propaganda in general, consumption encouragements as well).
- False Information (Assumed)Disseminating wrong or false information with likely effect to cause the panic...
PTA's Role
Regulatory Authority: PTA is Telecommunication authority in Pakistan. For instance, monitoring and control of content that can be accessed through mobile apps or the internet. Under the PECA Act, PTA can also block apps and websites that do not meet legal standards.
Execution: The PTA coordinates with app stores, ISPs and mobile network operators block all the discovered apps in Pakistan.
Impact
Users: When these apps get blocked, users are restricted from accessing certain services and platforms as well. But this is part of the deal to keep users from harmful or illegal content and conform with national security, public morality etc.
Developers: App developers might be the first to feel a hit if their apps are blocked. In this case, they will be delisted until they change their content or functionality to respect local laws and regulations.
Future Steps
Compliance — Developers / app providers are responsible to review their content for local law and regulatory; PTA can issue guidelines or enable apps to correct their mistakes.
Continual Monitoring: PTA keeps on observing advanced stages and applications in order to check the expansion of illicit substance. One approach is updated to rules and how they do enforcement, consistent with the changing world that we operate in terms of a digital environment.
The action speaks for the commitment of PTA towards well-regulated and safe online environment in Pakistan, where user freedom is respected within legal and ethical boundaries.
