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Pakistan Government Plans Social Media Firewall to Control Undesirable Content
Government of Pakistan unveils plans to install a social media firewall to regulate undesirable content online. The firewall, equipped with deep packet inspection technology, aims to identify and block propaganda material on social media platforms.
ND
by News Desk
2024-06-12
Pakistan Government Plans Social Media Firewall to Control Undesirable Content

In a move aimed at controlling the spread of "undesirable content" on social media platforms, the Pakistan government has announced plans to install a firewall to regulate online activity.
While details about the firewall implementation are yet to be fully disclosed by the ruling coalition, sources have indicated that it will be installed on internet service providers (ISPs) and will utilize deep packet inspection (DPI) technology to filter social media data.
Reports suggest that the firewall, already in the process of installation and commissioning, will be capable of inspecting information originating from different internet protocol addresses. Its primary objectives include identifying sources of "propaganda material" and subsequently blocking or limiting their visibility.
Equipped with DPI capabilities, the firewall will be able to examine data packets up to layer seven, enabling the identification and filtering of specific content on social media platforms. Additionally, it will possess the capability to block propaganda points and IDs.
The government has secured the cooperation of ISPs for the installation of the firewall, with financial costs being shared between the government and internet service providers. According to the Ministry of Information Technology, ISPs are obligated to block illegal content as per license clauses, and the installation of the firewall falls under the jurisdiction of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority.
While the move aims to curb the dissemination of harmful content online, concerns have been raised regarding potential implications for freedom of expression and privacy rights. The government's efforts to regulate social media content will likely spark debates surrounding internet censorship and the balance between security and individual liberties in the digital age.
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Pakistan

SocialMedia

InternetRegulation
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