KEY POINTS
- PTA has accelerated efforts to put a leash on information disorder
- National Telecom Security Operations Centre aims to monitor and address online threats
- Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube make information disorder a growing challenge
In October 2024, Lahore was engulfed in uproar after reports of the alleged rape of a first-year student at a private college. The news spread on social media like wildfire, sparking protests, outrage, and heated debates.
However, subsequent investigations revealed that the allegations were baseless. What started as a storm in the teacup escalated into a nationwide controversy, highlighting the dangerous consequences of both misinformation and disinformation in Pakistan.
This incident was not an isolated case. In Pakistan, information disorder—the spread of false information, whether intentional (disinformation) or unintentional (misinformation)—often manifests as fake videos, misleading headlines, and unverified claims that go viral before fact-checkers intervene.
The recent rise of deepfake technology has further complicated the situation, raising concerns about its potential misuse in political and social contexts.
Regulatory efforts
In response to emerging threats, the government issued regulations regarding internet regulation. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and other relevant organisations have stepped up to the plate in their attempts to track and delete dangerous material.
The Cyber Security Annual Report 2023 issued by the PTA shows that enforcement action has sharply increased, as indicated by the growing number of third-party audits that were 26 in 2022 and 39 in 2023.
Additionally, PTA’s auditing team extended its scope and the number of revalidation audits was increased from 13 licensees in 2022 to 21 in 2023, indicating a more comprehensive approach to improve digital security.
Along with the comprehensive PTA audit mentioned above, the report focuses on the establishment National Telecom Security Operations Centre and how it keeps an eye on cyber threats and disinformation campaigns.
As a part of the report, the PTA administration mentioned that non-intrusive scanning methods, aimed at diagnosing online communications networks, were also incorporated.
Social media’s role
Pakistan has also engaged social media companies in addressing information disorder, but their compliance remains inconsistent. Public opinion is significantly shaped by platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat, all of which remain operational.
Datareportal — Global Digital Insights reports that by the end of 2024, the estimated number of Facebook users in Pakistan reached 61.1 million, accounting for approximately 24.1 per cent of the total population, as reflected in the ad reach estimate.
Although having a relatively smaller user base than most other platforms, TikTok’s reach had reached about 46.3 per cent of the adult population in Pakistan and 57.8 per cent of the active users of the internet in the country.
YouTube reigned supreme with use by 84.9 million users—33.5 per cent of the total population of the country. Snapchat, lagging behind, also had 37.5 million users — 14.8 per cent of the total population.
The escalating statistic in number of users on these platforms reflects the growing power of social media in shaping the narratives, making misinformation a ticking bomb for authorities.
Striking a balance
Critics of excessive regulation argue that it could lead to censorship and restrict free speech, even as the Critical Telecom Data and Infrastructure Security Regulations (CTDISR) aim to strengthen cybersecurity.
The inauguration of the Pakistan National Telecom Cyber Security Ranking will encourage telecom companies to look at cybersecurity more seriously than ever, with the top three companies in 2023 being Jazz, Zong, and PTCL for meeting the stringent regulations.
Pakistan’s digital regulations are part of the PTA’s ongoing cybersecurity strategy, which includes collaborations with international organisations, based in Pakistan, to standardise regulations and address information threats.
Misinformation mitigation approaches by Pakistan are changing while trying to preserve a healthy public discussion and a healthy digital environment.
