Social media regulation laws
ISLAMABAD: Following
growing criticism over the recent 'sanctions' introduced on social media, Prime
Minister Imran Khan directed the concerned authorities to consult all stakeholders
before implementing these rules.
Presiding over a meeting, the Prime Minister expressed hope that all international social media and internet companies will continue to operate in Pakistan and the government will remove their concerns.
Secretary Information Technology Shoaib Siddiqui told Dawn that the meeting decided that all international and local stakeholders would be taken onboard before the implementation of the new rules.
After attending the meeting, Secretary Information further said that the government is in touch with international internet companies and their representatives will be called for a meeting soon so that they can be informed about the new rules and for their social media regulation in Pakistan. Get suggestions for.
Presiding over a meeting, the Prime Minister expressed hope that all international social media and internet companies will continue to operate in Pakistan and the government will remove their concerns.
Secretary Information Technology Shoaib Siddiqui told Dawn that the meeting decided that all international and local stakeholders would be taken onboard before the implementation of the new rules.
After attending the meeting, Secretary Information further said that the government is in touch with international internet companies and their representatives will be called for a meeting soon so that they can be informed about the new rules and for their social media regulation in Pakistan. Get suggestions for.
Reporters Without
Borders (RSF), on the other hand, called for the government to abolish the
rules introduced to regulate social media, saying that regulation of social
media is necessary but it should not disguise censorship. ۔
RSF issued a statement saying, 'With the efforts to bring the Internet to its knees, Prime Minister Imran Khan's government issued a new rule (Citizen Protection Against Online Harm Rules, 2020) on January 28. Approved in the memo. '
'The vague and unambiguous language used in the regulation testifies to the arbitrary nature of government action,' said Daniel Bastard, head of the RSF Asia Pacific desk.
'We urge federal authorities to abolish rules that pose a major threat to the work of journalists, especially the privacy of their sources. Regulation of social media is essential but it is disguised as censorship,' he added. Should not be'.
RSF issued a statement saying, 'With the efforts to bring the Internet to its knees, Prime Minister Imran Khan's government issued a new rule (Citizen Protection Against Online Harm Rules, 2020) on January 28. Approved in the memo. '
'The vague and unambiguous language used in the regulation testifies to the arbitrary nature of government action,' said Daniel Bastard, head of the RSF Asia Pacific desk.
'We urge federal authorities to abolish rules that pose a major threat to the work of journalists, especially the privacy of their sources. Regulation of social media is essential but it is disguised as censorship,' he added. Should not be'.
The RSF added that these
rules are steps designed to increase government control over social media
companies, adding that they will have to 'open offices in Pakistan and block
any content within the stipulated period. Or failure to remove it will result
in a fine of Rs. 50 crore.
It is understood that on February 15, major companies like Internet and Technologies such as Facebook, Twitter, Google, Amazon, Airbnb, Apple, Booking.com, Expedia Group, Grab, LinkedIn, Line, Rockin 'and Yahoo! The Industrial Alliance of Asia Internet Coalition (AIC) had sent a letter in the name of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The letter warned them that it would be 'extremely difficult' for digital companies in Pakistan to work with the new government rules to legalize social media activities.
Jeff Pann, Managing Director of AIC, expressed concern in the letter, saying that 'these rules will severely disrupt Pakistan's digital economy'.
It is understood that on February 15, major companies like Internet and Technologies such as Facebook, Twitter, Google, Amazon, Airbnb, Apple, Booking.com, Expedia Group, Grab, LinkedIn, Line, Rockin 'and Yahoo! The Industrial Alliance of Asia Internet Coalition (AIC) had sent a letter in the name of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The letter warned them that it would be 'extremely difficult' for digital companies in Pakistan to work with the new government rules to legalize social media activities.
Jeff Pann, Managing Director of AIC, expressed concern in the letter, saying that 'these rules will severely disrupt Pakistan's digital economy'.
In addition, human
rights organization Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and journalist
organization Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) have also demanded
the government review its decision.
HRCP expressed deep concern over the new laws, which would allow social media to control freedom of expression to protect 'sensitive issues for religious, cultural, ethnic and national security'.
HRCP expressed deep concern over the new laws, which would allow social media to control freedom of expression to protect 'sensitive issues for religious, cultural, ethnic and national security'.
Social Media Regulatory Rules
It is to be noted that on January 28, the federal government approved rules and regulations governing social media in the country, which was announced on February 12.
Under these rules, social media companies will be obliged to provide any information or data on behalf of an investigating agency and will be fined Rs. 50 million if they do not provide any information.
It is to be noted that on January 28, the federal government approved rules and regulations governing social media in the country, which was announced on February 12.
Under these rules, social media companies will be obliged to provide any information or data on behalf of an investigating agency and will be fined Rs. 50 million if they do not provide any information.
The information it
provides may include user information, traffic data or content details.
Under these rules, if a social media platform is identified as 'illegal content' in writing or electronically, they will be obliged to remove it 24 hours a day and in an emergency within 6 hours.
In addition, these companies will have to establish a registered office in Islamabad with a working address within the next 3 months.
In addition, these companies will have to deploy their focal person to cooperate with the relevant authorities in Pakistan within 3 months and set up one or more database servers within 12 months to secure and record online content.
Under these rules, if a social media platform is identified as 'illegal content' in writing or electronically, they will be obliged to remove it 24 hours a day and in an emergency within 6 hours.
In addition, these companies will have to establish a registered office in Islamabad with a working address within the next 3 months.
In addition, these companies will have to deploy their focal person to cooperate with the relevant authorities in Pakistan within 3 months and set up one or more database servers within 12 months to secure and record online content.
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