The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has launched a nationwide campaign to improve internet and social media safety. The PTA is urging citizens to help combat the spread of harmful and hateful content online.
The PTA calls on the public to support efforts to curb anti-state material. The authority has issued guidelines that stress the importance of responsible online behavior. The PTA highlights that sharing or uploading content that threatens national defense, integrity, or security is illegal and punishable by law.
Citizens should report any anti-state material they find online. They should send reports to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for further investigation. Additionally, users should notify relevant social media platforms and the PTA to ensure the swift removal of such content.
The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) makes the dissemination of hateful material through any information system or device a criminal offense. This includes content that promotes inter-religious, communal, or racial hatred, which the law strictly punishes.
PTA Aims to Create Safer Online Environment
The PTA’s campaign aims to create a safer online environment. It educates the public about the legal consequences of sharing harmful content and encourages active reporting.
Recently, the PTA addressed the slowdown in internet services across Pakistan. They attributed the disruptions to damage to several international submarine cables. Out of seven submarine cables connecting Pakistan to global networks, two sustained significant damage. The PTA completed repairs to the AAE-1 submarine cable, while repairs to the SMW4 cable are expected to finish by October.
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The PTA anticipates that the restoration of the AAE-1 cable will improve internet services in Pakistan. However, full resolution of the connectivity issues depends on the timely repair of the SMW4 cable. The PTA continues to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates on the progress of the repairs. They remain committed to ensuring stable and secure internet services for all users in Pakistan.