Social media companies like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube have come under fire from Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for refusing to voluntarily register under the “Registration of Leading Social Media Companies under Regulations, 2021.
Social media sites do not see themselves as under any obligation to comply with demands to restrict content in accordance with Pakistani law.
In response to complaints it received, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) just banned more than a million social media accounts. The sharing or publication of unlawful content or the incitement of hatred towards government institutions is the main cause for the blocking of these accounts.
According to official records, five important media platforms have so far finished the registration procedure and are registered as Significant Social Media Companies (SSMC) in Pakistan under the aforementioned Rules. As per these rules, dissatisfied users are to contact SSMC directly to report the problems. However, many meetings with Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok have been scheduled in order to streamline the processes.
Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and other significant social media sites, unfortunately, haven’t yet complied with the Authority’s numerous requests of removing the sensitive content under the Rules 2021.
The National Social Media Coordination Working Group (NSMCWG) has been reconstituted by the Prime Minister’s office via a notification dated June 23, 2022, and is now chaired by the Law Minister. Its mission is to review PECA along with Rules 2021 and make recommendations to bring the said Act and Rules into compliance with the Pakistani Constitution and existing laws.
