The government has officially announced the installation of a Web Monitoring System (WMS) to regulate online content.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) now operates autonomously in its ability to block content, having already restricted access to 2,369 URLs and 183 applications. The Cabinet Division disclosed this development to the National Assembly in a formal written statement.
The memorandum from the Cabinet Division outlines that the blocking efforts focus on websites and applications that distribute illegal content or compromise citizens’ data. In addition to these measures, the PTA has terminated 469 applications, 345 Android apps, and 34 other types following complaints regarding illegal activities.
Implementing the WMS has coincided with challenges, notably a noticeable slowdown in internet speeds across the country, adversely affecting online businesses and freelancers. To mitigate these issues, the PTA has recommended using VPN services. Software houses, call centres, and freelancers have taken this advice, with 20,000 IPs registered for VPN use in the last four years, aiming to ensure uninterrupted online activities.
Read: PTA Launches One-Window Operation for IP and VPN Registration
