Home / World News / Pak's new internet rules gives wider powers of censorship, draw criticism

Pak's new internet rules gives wider powers of censorship, draw criticism

The new rules were approved initially by Prime Minister Imran Khan's cabinet in February

social media, fake news, hate speech, trolls, propaganda, IT cell, politics, internet, technology, data, smartphone, digital

Premium

A platform has to act within 24 hours or, in case of an emergency, six hours to remove content. |Illustration: Ajay Mohanty

Reuters Islamabad

2 min read Last Updated : Nov 19 2020 | 10:52 PM IST

Pakistan is all set to roll out new internet rules that critics say will give the government wide powers of censorship after rejecting requests from social media companies for consultation.

Muslim-majority Pakistan already has media regulations that adhere to conservative social customs. Last month, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) blocked TikTok for failing to filter out "immoral and indecent" content.

The new rules were approved initially by Prime Minister Imran Khan's cabinet in February.

They give the PTA "removal and blocking" powers of digital content that "harms, intimidates or excites disaffection" towards the government or poses a threat to the "integrity, security and

What you get on BS Premium?

Unlock 30+ premium stories daily hand-picked by our editors, across devices on browser and app.
Pick your 5 favourite companies, get a daily email with all news updates on them.
Full access to our intuitive epaper - clip, save, share articles from any device; newspaper archives from 2006.
Preferential invites to Business Standard events.
Curated newsletters on markets, personal finance, policy & politics, start-ups, technology, and more.

VIEW ALL FAQs

Need More Information - write to us at assist@bsmail.in