This statement comes one day after the introduction of the ‘Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards) Rules 2020’ rules. The rules have granted the concerned authorities blanket powers to censor digital content, and this move has been criticised as curtailing freedom of expression. Reportedly, social media companies are required to provide Pakistan’s designated investigation agency with any information or data in decrypted, readable and comprehensible format. The information to be provided may include subscriber information, traffic data, content data and any other information or data. Furthermore, Pakistan wants the social media companies to have their offices in the country.

Source: Pakistan Today November 20, 2020 12:50 UTC