AIC threatens to leave Pakistan over new rules

ISLAMABAD: Ater the government notified rules that define how social media will be governed in Pakistan, technology companies announced on Friday that the regulations would make it difficult for them to continue their operations in the country.

The rules titled, “Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards) Rules 2020,” have been framed under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (Peca).

Friday’s warning from the Asia Internet Coalition (AIC), which represents global technology giants including Google, Facebook and Twiter, comes ater the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan granted enhanced powers to government media regulators on Wednesday.

In a statement, the AIC expressed its alarm over the scope of the new law targeting internet companies, as well as the government’s “opaque process” by which these rules were developed.

Earlier this year, Imran promised to initiate a “broad-based” consultation on content regulation ater a strong backlash from stakeholders over the release of formally known as the Citizen Protection (Against Online Harm) Rules 2020.

“The consultation that was announced in February never occurred,” AIC managing director Jeff Paine regreted in the statement.

The tech companies warned that the rules would make it extremely difficult for AIC members to make their services available to Pakistani users and businesses.

Under the new rules, social media companies shall provide the designated investigation agency with any information or data in decrypted, readable and comprehensible format.

Subject to justifiable technical limitations, the information to be provided may include subscriber information, traffic data, content data and any other information or data.

“The draconian data localisation requirements will damage the ability of people to access a free and open internet and shut Pakistan’s digital economy off from the rest of the world,” the AIC said.

The companies said it was chilling to see the PTA’S powers expanded, allowing them to force social media companies to violate established human rights norms on privacy and freedom of expression.

Since February when the rules were first released, the AIC has repeatedly urged the government to adopt a comprehensive consultation strategy.

Earlier in October, the AIC had expressed its reservations over the consultation process in a leter addressed to Imran.