ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has begun rolling out a nationwide firewall system to regulate social media platforms and stop the spread of unwanted content, government sources said, which will apply to all popular platforms including Facebook, YouTube and X.
According to a senior official, the firewall aims to identify sources of propaganda material, examine data from various Internet Protocol addresses and restrict the visibility of the content.One of the main features of the system is keyword filtering to identify and hide objectionable content.
Additionally, protocols are being developed to monitor Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), which many have used to circumvent the restrictions imposed on X (formerly Twitter). Initial restrictions on VPNs drew criticism from the corporate sector and led the government to temporarily halt their implementation.
The shutdown of X has nearly halved its usage in Pakistan, from 4.5 million to 2.4 million, and X administrators appear to be gradually complying with government directives to block accounts that spread fake news, allow conversations on sensitive topics, or circulate controversial ideas.
In April, the Ministry of Interior submitted a detailed report to the Islamabad High Court outlining the grounds for barring X from entering the country. The report drew attention to X’s failure to register and his flouting of Pakistan’s legal requirements.
The report argued that X’s refusal to comply with Pakistani regulations was the reason for the block and that its actions did not violate fundamental rights.
According to a senior official, the firewall aims to identify sources of propaganda material, examine data from various Internet Protocol addresses and restrict the visibility of the content.One of the main features of the system is keyword filtering to identify and hide objectionable content.
Additionally, protocols are being developed to monitor Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), which many have used to circumvent the restrictions imposed on X (formerly Twitter). Initial restrictions on VPNs drew criticism from the corporate sector and led the government to temporarily halt their implementation.
The shutdown of X has nearly halved its usage in Pakistan, from 4.5 million to 2.4 million, and X administrators appear to be gradually complying with government directives to block accounts that spread fake news, allow conversations on sensitive topics, or circulate controversial ideas.
In April, the Ministry of Interior submitted a detailed report to the Islamabad High Court outlining the grounds for barring X from entering the country. The report drew attention to X’s failure to register and his flouting of Pakistan’s legal requirements.
The report argued that X’s refusal to comply with Pakistani regulations was the reason for the block and that its actions did not violate fundamental rights.
