Google, Facebook, Twitter threaten to leave Pakistan after Imran govt bins their privacy

After PM Imran Khan-led Pakistan government anunced new "draconian" rules for social media, which aims at giving direct powers to authorities to censor digital content, IT giants like Facebook, Twitter and Google have threatened to leave country. 

Under new rules anunced by Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Techlogy on Wednesday, social media companies and Internet service providers shall provide designated investigation ncy with any information or data in decrypted, reable and comprehensible format, Dawn newspaper reported.

Subject to justifiable technical limitations, information to be provided may include subscriber information, traffic data, content data and any or information or data.

Facebook, Google & Twitter raise alarm over new laws

In a statement shared with Dawn on Thursday, Asia Internet Coalition (AIC), which represents Facebook, Google and Twitter, raised its alarm over scope of new law targeting internet companies, as well as government's "opaque process" by which se rules were developed.

"Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards) Rules 2020" have been framed under Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (PECA).  tech companies have warned that rules would make it extremely difficult for AIC members to make ir services available to Pakistani users and businesses. It said "draconian" data localisation requirements will dam ability of people to access free and open internet.

" draconian data localisation requirements will also shut Pakistan's digital ecomy off from rest of world," AIC said. companies ded it was chilling to see Pakistan Telecommunication Authority's powers expanded, allowing it to force social media companies to violate established human rights rms on privacy and freedom of expression.

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AIC has said if Pakistan wanted to be an attractive destination for techlogy investment and realise its goal of digital transformation, n it should work with industry on practical, clear rules that protect benefits of internet and keep people safe from harm.

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Imran Khan promised to initiate a "bro-based" consultation on content regulation after a strong backlash from stakeholders over release of Citizens Protection (Against Online Harm) Rules 2020. In October, AIC h expressed its reservations over consultation process in a letter dressed to Khan. Pakistani social media users and rights groups have alrey rejected latest tification of rules by government. 

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