Representative image. Reuters
Pakistan is using legislative force to regulate the spread of “undesirable content” among users by installing firewalls on various internet service providers across the nation.
The firewall would restrict users from accessing all major social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook and X. Elon Musk’s X is already blocked in Pakistan since earlier this year.
How will the firewall work?
According to a report by The News, the firewall has already been purchased and is now being installed and commissioned.
It is worthwhile to note that Pakistan already has a system in place that blocks websites and some social media apps.
The new firewalls will help the government oversee the information originating from various web addresses.
A government official told The News, “The national firewall will serve two purposes: identify the locations from where the propaganda material is being originated and the subsequent blockade or diminished coverage of those accounts. But, I think the main focus will remain on locating the source of such propaganda to nip the evil in the bud”.
The new system will also help the government filter keywords of content that it considers “undesirable or prejudicial” to the security of the nation. The filter will mask such content initially and subsequently, it will be made inaccessible to users.
Posts that promote dissent will pass through these filters before they are visible to social media users.
Limited use of VPNs
While the government has blocked X, many users in Pakistan still use it with the help of Virtual Private Networks.
Realising this, authorities are also planning to prevent the “misuse” of VPNs. Citizens are required to disclose the VPNs they use to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority. Failing to do so would attract punishment.
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