ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has initiated a major crackdown on social media apps and virtual private networks (VPNs) operating illegally in Pakistan.
According to government sources, the PTA has gained access to a firewall system with the help of a Chinese company to monitor and regulate online content to strengthen Pakistan’s cyber vigilance efforts.
Sources said that as part of the operation, the PTA has blocked over 200 unauthorised VPNs.
According to sources, the Cyber Vigilance Branch, led by Brigadier Mukarram, is supervising the VPN monitoring efforts.
The PTA currently has 20,000 registered VPNs, with over 700,000 users relying on legally approved VPN services. However, around 27 million users are reportedly using unregistered or unauthorised VPNs.
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Sources said that the PTA has shut down 469 unregistered mobile applications and blocked URLs of more than 24 illegal social media apps.
“Over 27,000 mobile SIM cards associated with unlicenced app usage have also been deactivated,” senior PTA officials confirmed saying that “these measures aim to curb illegal operations on social media.”
The sources said that the latest crackdown targets unregistered and unauthorised apps and users, while compliant applications will continue to operate as usual.
The PTA has indicated that action against non-compliant apps will continue in line with regulatory requirements.