ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government has raised concerns over the security risks posed by wearable smart devices, including smartwatches and fitness trackers, warning that they could compromise sensitive information and pose a significant cybersecurity threat.
The National Telecom and Information Technology Security Board (NTISB) has issued an advisory highlighting the risks associated with these devices. The Cabinet Division has subsequently recommended a complete ban on their use at sensitive locations.
The NTISB advisory warns that smart devices are being used to leak confidential information, and their presence at high-security locations could facilitate cyberattacks.
“These wearable devices are a serious threat to institutional security, as they can be exploited for unauthorised tracking and data breaches,” the advisory stated.
The NTISB has proposed a thorough security audit of such devices before they are used in sensitive areas. It further recommended strict controls on their use during critical meetings or in facilities handling classified operations.
The advisory emphasised that only devices with approved security measures should be allowed, and unnecessary features like GPS and Bluetooth should be disabled to prevent data leaks.
The advisory also cited previous incidents where wearable devices were linked to data breaches and cyberattacks, underscoring the urgency of imposing stringent regulations.
“A multi-factor verification system must be implemented for all approved smart devices to ensure their security,” the NTISB stressed.
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About a week ago, the NTISB issued a separate cybersecurity advisory warning Pakistani users about the dangers of certain browser extensions.
The advisory identified ChatGPT-4, Gemini for Chrome, and over a dozen others as being potentially compromised by hackers injecting malicious code to steal users’ personal data.
Among the 16 flagged extensions were AI Assistant – ChatGPT, Bard AI Chat Extension, VPNCity, VidHelper Video Downloader, and Trackker – Online Keylogger Tool.
The NTISB urged users to uninstall these extensions immediately and adopt safer alternatives from trusted sources.
