New social media laws not an attempt to curb freedom of expression: Dr Firdous
Companies will be required to provide any information bypassing legal process outlined in PECA.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan on Thurday clarified that new laws are to regulate social media companies and government understands that protection of rights of social media users is essential.
Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan said that according to the new laws, social media companies could be shut down in Pakistan for violating laws of the country; however, companies can approach High Court if they have reservations.
Special Assistant said that various elements are using social media for anti-Pakistan activities and spreading vulgarity. She clarified that new laws are not an attempt to curb freedom of expression in the country.
She went on say that social media is a necessity as about 73% Pakistani’s use social media. She added that before there was no mechanism for protecting national integrity and rights of common citizens. Social media companies block accounts of Pakistani journalists who raise voice for Kashmir, she added.
According to the documents available with Dunya News, all companies, including YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Tick Tok, are required to register and establish an office in Islamabad within three months.
On the other hand, the global social media platforms and companies have been conditioned to appoint a focal person in Pakistan and they will have to build a data server in Pakistan within a year.
With the new rules, action could be taken against those who speak out against national institutions and national sovereignty.
The government will appoint a National Coordinator (NC) within 15 days after the commencement of these rules, who will be responsible for coordination, advising the federal and provincial governments, and engaging with social media companies. He will also have the power to summon focal persons of any company to discuss how they operate their businesses.
The Ministry of Information and Telecommunications or the National Coordinator can ask any social media company to remove, suspend or disable access to such content within 24 hours. Urgent situations will require action within 6 hours.
According to the Rules, the “interpretation or permissibility of any online content, by the Authority or the National Coordinator under law, rule, regulation or instruction, shall take precedence over any community standards or rules or community guidelines or policies or any other instruments devised by a Social Media Company.”
The rules also state that Social Media Companies “shall remove, suspend or disable access to such accounts, online content of citizens of Pakistan residing outside its territorial boundaries and posts on online content that are involved in spreading of fake news or defamation.”
Companies will also be required to provide any requested information in a “decrypted, readable and comprehensible format or plain version,” bypassing the legal process currently outlined in PECA.
Assistant Special Information said that social media is a necessity for every human being. About 73% of Pakistanis are currently social media users. There was no system on social media that would protect national security and protect the rights of ordinary citizens. When Pakistani consumers talk about Kashmir, social media companies block their accounts.
He said that under the new rules, social media companies would have to have offices in Pakistan. Social media companies will be required to share their data with Bank of Pakistan, while companies will be obliged to remove the controversial content within 6 hours.
