January 30, 2025 - Comments Off on PK Ambassador to the US defends PECA Amendments, media restrictions
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January 29, 2025 - Comments Off on نیشنل پرائیویسی کانفرنس 2025 – ووٹر ڈیٹا پرائیویسی پر تحقیقاتی رپورٹ کا اجرا اور ڈیٹا پروٹیکشن کے مسائل پر روشنی
نیشنل پرائیویسی کانفرنس 2025 – ووٹر ڈیٹا پرائیویسی پر تحقیقاتی رپورٹ کا اجرا اور ڈیٹا پروٹیکشن کے مسائل پر روشنی
29 جنوری، 2025
پریس ریلیز
موضوع: نیشنل پرائیویسی کانفرنس 2025 – ووٹر ڈیٹا پرائیویسی پر تحقیقاتی رپورٹ کا اجرا اور ڈیٹا پروٹیکشن کے مسائل پر روشنی
لاہور: ڈیجیٹل رائٹس فاؤنڈیشن (DRF) نے نیشنل پرائیویسی کانفرنس 2025 کا انعقاد کیا تاکہ عالمی ڈیٹا پروٹیکشن ڈے کو منایا جا سکے اور اپنی تازہ ترین تحقیقاتی رپورٹ "پاکستان میں ووٹر ڈیٹا پرائیویسی: پرائیویسی رسک، ڈیٹا پروٹیکشن اور قانون سازی میں خامیاں" کا اجرا کیا جا سکے۔
کانفرنس میں پالیسی سازوں، ماہرین، سول سوسائٹی تنظیموں، سیاسی جماعتوں کے نمائندوں اور دیگر متعلقہ فریقین نے شرکت کی تاکہ اس اہم معاملے پر تبادلہ خیال کیا جا سکے، خاص طور پر ایسے وقت میں جب پاکستان اپنی معیشت کو ڈیجیٹلائز کرنے کے عزائم رکھتا ہے لیکن ڈیٹا لیکس اور انٹرنیٹ رکاوٹوں جیسے مسائل سے دوچار ہے۔
کانفرنس کا آغاز ڈیجیٹل رائٹس فاؤنڈیشن کی ایگزیکٹو ڈائریکٹر نگہت داد کی افتتاحی تقریر سے ہوا، جس میں انہوں نے کہا: "رازداری کا حق صرف ذاتی معلومات کے بے قابو تبادلے کا معاملہ نہیں، بلکہ یہ عوامی اعتماد، باہمی احترام اور شہریوں کے تحفظ کو یقینی بنانے سے متعلق ہے، چاہے وہ آن لائن ہو یا آف لائن۔"
اس کے بعد ہیومن رائٹس واچ کے سینئر کاؤنسل برائے ایشیا، سروپ اعجاز نے کلیدی خطاب کیا، جس میں انہوں نے کہا: "آج کی دنیا میں رازداری کی خلاف ورزی کو معمول بنا دیا گیا ہے، جہاں آپ کو اپنی حفاظت کے بدلے اپنی رازداری کا سودا کرنا پڑتا ہے۔ لیکن یہ ایک غلط تقسیم ہے: جب آپ اپنی رازداری کو نظر انداذ کرنے سے زیادہ محفوظ نہیں رہتے۔"
کانفرنس کے پہلے پینل سیشن میں ڈیجیٹل رائٹس فاؤنڈیشن کی تحقیق پر گفتگو کی گئی، جس نے فروری 2024 کے عام انتخابات کے دوران ووٹر ڈیٹا کے تحفظ میں موجود خامیوں کو اجاگر کیا۔ اس سیشن میں ڈیجیٹل رائٹس فاؤنڈیشن کی سائبر ہراسمنٹ ہیلپ لائن کی سربراہ حیرہ باسط نے ماڈریٹر کے فرائض انجام دیے، جبکہ مقررین میں محقق مریم علی خان، پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی (PPP) کی نمائندہ نایاب جان، اور ہیومن رائٹس کمیشن آف پاکستان (HRCP) کی سینئر مینیجر برائے تحقیق و مواصلات ماہین پراچہ شامل تھیں۔
مقررین نے الیکشن کمیشن آف پاکستان کے ووٹر ڈیٹا کے تحفظ کے موجودہ فریم ورک میں موجود خامیوں پر روشنی ڈالی اور یہ بھی زیر بحث آیا کہ سیاسی جماعتوں نے انتخابات کے دوران ووٹرز کا ڈیٹا کیسے استعمال کیا۔ مزید براں، ووٹنگ کی معلومات کو زیادہ محفوظ بنانے کے لیے جن اقدامات کی ضرورت ہے، ان پر بھی تبادلہ خیال کیا گیا۔ مس جین نے نوٹ کیا کہ "ہر سیاسی جماعت کی ذمہ داری ہے... کہ وہ ڈیجیٹل دیانت داری کو برقرار رکھے" اور انہیں "اندرونی ضابطہ اخلاق، قانون سازی اور مکالمے" پر کام کرنا چاہیے۔ مس پراچہ نے مزید کہا کہ اس کی ذمہ داری الیکشن کمیشن آف پاکستان (ECP) اور نیشنل ڈیٹا بیس اینڈ رجسٹریشن اتھارٹی (NADRA) پر عائد ہوتی ہے۔ علاوہ ازیں، "یہ تصور کہ ڈیٹا کے غلط استعمال کو صرف ایک تکلیف سمجھا جائے، ختم ہونا چاہیے؛ ڈیٹا کے غلط استعمال سے کمزور افراد کو شدید نقصان پہنچ سکتا ہے۔"
دوسرے پینل میں اس پر روشنی ڈالی گئی کہ پاکستان میں ڈیٹا پروٹیکشن کا جامع اور عوام دوست قانون کیوں ضروری ہے۔ ڈیجیٹل رائٹس فاؤنڈیشن کی سینئر ریسرچ اینڈ گرانٹس ایسوسی ایٹ سیرت خان نے اس سیشن کو ماڈریٹ کیا، جبکہ مقررین میں رازداری کی ماہر زینب خان درانی، ڈیجیٹل رائٹس فاؤنڈیشن کی پروگرام لیڈ ارم شجاع، "بولو بھی" کے شریک بانی اور ڈائریکٹر اسامہ خلجی، اور نیشنل کمیشن برائے انسانی حقوق (NCHR) کے اسسٹنٹ ڈائریکٹر (جنرل) غلام عباس سپرا شامل تھے۔
مقررین نے اس بات پر تبادلہ خیال کیا کہ پاکستان میں ڈیٹا پروٹیکشن کے قوانین کی عدم موجودگی عام شہریوں کو ڈیٹا کے غلط استعمال، جیسے شناختی چوری، اسپام، اور بائیومیٹرک ڈیٹا کے ممکنہ استحصال کا شکار بنا سکتی ہے۔ محترمہ شجاع نے مشاہدہ کیا کہ، " موجودہ ریگولیٹری فریم ورک میں ڈیٹا مٹانے اور رضامندی کا عمل وکلاء کے لیے سمجھنا ہی مشکل ہے، عام شہریوں کو تو چھوڑ ہی دیں۔"
مزید برآں، اس بات پر بھی روشنی ڈالی گئی کہ ایک جامع ڈیٹا پروٹیکشن قانون میں کون سے کلیدی عناصر شامل ہونے چاہئیں، جیسا کہ بین الاقوامی انسانی حقوق کے اصولوں سے ہم آہنگی، اور موجودہ سیاسی صورتحال کے پیش نظر پاکستان کا اس معاملے میں ممکنہ مستقبل کیا ہو سکتا ہے۔ مس درانی نے زور دیا کہ "اگر ایسے قانون سازی کا عمل مشاوری نہ ہو، تو یہ عوام کی ضروریات کی نمائندگی نہیں کرے گا اور یہ ایک اور قانون بن جائے گا جو حقوق کی ضمانت دینے کے بجائے انہیں محدود کرنے کا سبب بنے گا۔"
کانفرنس کے اختتام سے قبل، شرکاء نے پینلسٹس سے سوالات کیے۔ ایک شریک نے نشاندہی کی کہ ضروری قانون سازی موجود ہونے کے باوجود اس پر عمل درآمد کی کمی ہے، جسے مس درانی نے تسلیم کیا اور مزید کہا، "وَکالت (ایڈوکیسی) کو چند تنظیموں یا ڈیجیٹل حقوق کے کارکنوں تک محدود نہیں رکھا جا سکتا۔ ہمیں سب کو اپنے اجتماعی حقوق کے لیے سرگرم ہونا ہوگا۔" پینلسٹس اور شرکاء اس بات پر متفق تھے کہ پاکستان کے شہریوں کے لیے ایک محفوظ اور رازداری کا احترام کرنے والے ڈیجیٹل مستقبل کو یقینی بنانے کے لیے جامع قانون سازی کے ذریعے ڈیٹا کی کمزوریوں کو دور کرنا انتہائی ضروری ہے۔
تحقیقی رپورٹ پڑھنے کے لیے:
https://digitalrightsfoundation.pk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Voter-Data-Privacy-in-Pakistan.pdf
January 29, 2025 - Comments Off on National Privacy Conference 2025 Highlights Gaps in Data Protection and Launches Research Paper on Voter Data Privacy
National Privacy Conference 2025 Highlights Gaps in Data Protection and Launches Research Paper on Voter Data Privacy
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE
January 29, 2025
Subject: National Privacy Conference 2025 Highlights Gaps in Data Protection and Launches Research Paper on Voter Data Privacy
Lahore: The Digital Rights Foundation (DRF) hosted this year’s National Privacy Conference 2025 to jointly mark global Data Protection Day and launch its latest research paper Voter Data Privacy in Pakistan: Privacy Risks, Data Protection, and Legislative Shortcomings During Data-Driven Elections. This conference was organized to address critical issues surrounding voter data privacy and the state of data protection legislation in Pakistan. Policymakers, academics, digital rights experts, civil society organizations, political party representatives and other key stakeholders came together to discuss the urgency of adequate data protection laws and regulatory infrastructure, especially in a country ambitious to digitize its economy but still vulnerable to significant data breaches and Internet disruptions.
The conference began with opening remarks from DRF Executive Director, Ms. Nighat Dad, who stated that “the right to privacy is about more than just the unchecked exchange of personal data… [it] is about public trust, mutual respect, informed consent, and shaping a future that prioritizes citizens’ safety in both online and offline spaces”. This was followed by insights from the conference’s keynote speaker Mr. Saroop Ijaz, Senior Counsel (Asia) for the Human Rights Watch, who noted, “There is a normalization of infringement of privacy in today’s world whereby you have to bargain your privacy in return for safety. But this is a false binary: when you trade in privacy, it does not make you more secure.”
The first panel, titled “Voter Data Privacy Research: Insights from DRF’s 2024 General Elections Study”, delved into DRF’s research paper on voter data privacy, which specifically highlights vulnerabilities in Pakistan’s information ecosystem during the February 2024 general elections. DRF’s Cyber Harassment Helpline Lead, Ms. Hyra Basit, moderated the panel, which featured researcher Ms. Maryam Ali Khan, PPP Punjab information secretary Ms. Nayab Jan, and Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) Senior Manager Research and Communications Ms. Maheen Pracha. The panelists discussed critical gaps in the existing framework of the Election Commission of Pakistan vis-a-vis protecting voter data, as well as political parties’ voter data practices during the elections. They also discussed what steps could be taken to better safeguard voting information. Ms. Jan noted that “every political party has a responsibility… to maintain digital integrity” and that they must work on “internal code of conducts, legislation and dialogue”. Ms. Pracha added that the onus lies on the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA). Moreover, “the perception that the misuse of data is an inconvenience needs to be removed; data misuse can potentially cause great harm to vulnerable people.”
The second panel, titled “Data Protection Legislation: Why It’s Needed, and Where We Are Now”, examined why data protection legislation that is holistic and pro-people is vital in Pakistan. DRF’s Senior Research and Grants Associate Ms. Seerat Khan moderated the panel, which featured privacy expert Ms. Zainab Khan Durrani, DRF’s Programs Lead Ms. Irum Shujah, co-founder and director of Bolo Bhi Mr. Usama Khilji, and National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) Assistant Director (General) Mr. Ghulam Abbas Sipra. The panelists discussed how the absence of a data protection regime impacts citizens, leaving them vulnerable to data abuse such as identity fraud, spam and biometric data misuse. Ms. Shujah observed, “The process of data erasure and consent are difficult for even lawyers to grapple with in the current regulatory framework, let alone everyday citizens.” The panelists also discussed what key elements must be present in a comprehensive data protection law, such as compliance with international human rights framework and principles, and Pakistan’s future trajectory in this scope given the current political situation. Ms. Durrani emphasized that “If the process of making such a law is not consultative, then it is not going to be representative of the needs of the people, and will be another law to impede rights rather than guaranteeing rights."
Before the conference concluded, the participants asked panelists questions. One participant pointed out that there is a lack of enforcement even when the necessary legislation is in place, which Ms. Durrani acknowledged and responded further, “Advocacy cannot be limited to a few organizations or digital rights activists. We all need to be activists for our collective rights.” Both panelists and participants agreed that addressing data vulnerabilities with comprehensive legislation is imperative to ensure a secure and privacy-respecting digital future for Pakistan’s citizens.
The research paper launched at the conference is available to read at https://digitalrightsfoundation.pk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Voter-Data-Privacy-in-Pakistan.pdf
January 29, 2025 - Comments Off on Journalists stage country-wide protests against PECA Amendments
Journalists stage country-wide protests against PECA Amendments
Journalist bodies strongly protested against the PECA amendments across the major cities on Tuesday 28 January.
During the passage of the bill in the Senate, journalists walked out of the Senate press gallery in protest. Later, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) organised a protest march from the Islamabad National Press Club to D-Chowk, where, addressing the crowd, PFUJ President Afzal Butt called the bill a ‘black law’.
In Karachi, responding to an appeal by PFUJ, the Joint Action Committee of Media Bodies (JAC) staged a protest outside Karachi Press Club. Mazhar Abbas, a senior member of PFUJ commented “The government has to learn the lessons as it was earlier used against the same party, which had passed the law in a haste.” Members of the Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ), Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA), and the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) were also in attendance.
January 29, 2025 - Comments Off on Pakistani-American teen murdered by father over TikTok
Pakistani-American teen murdered by father over TikTok
A Pakistani-American teen has been murdered by her father over his daughter’s TikTok videos. The man, who had lived in the US for under three decades, had recently returned to Pakistan, bringing his family with him. Originally claiming that unidentified gunmen had murdered his 15 year old daughter, he confessed his crime to police.
According to police reports, the man (and supposedly the rest of the family) “had an objection to her lifestyle, and social gathering”, and that she had been creating, according to the father, “objectionable” content on TikTok while the family lived in the US. As of the time of this update, however, the phone remained locked, according to the police.
January 29, 2025 - Comments Off on Journalist files case against PECA Amendments in Lahore High Court
Journalist files case against PECA Amendments in Lahore High Court
The formal passage into law of amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) has been challenged in the Lahore High Court by a Pakistani journalist, arguing that the amendments are a threat to the “constitutional right to free speech”.
The legal challenge filed by Jafar Bin Yar – and which includes the government, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and other parties as respondents – asserted that the PECA Amendments Bill 2025 had been introduced in and passed by the National Assembly without key stakeholders, such as civil society organisations and journalists, being consulted.
Mr. Bin Yar’s legal petition requested the nullification of the newly passed PECA Amendment Act, and that any actions taken post-passage be suspended until a final decision in his petition has been issued.
January 29, 2025 - Comments Off on President Zardari Signs PECA Amendments into law
President Zardari Signs PECA Amendments into law
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has signed into law controversial amendments to the the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), in the face of numerous protests and calls of condemnation from journalists, political parties and international human rights organisations such as Amnesty International. The presidential assent – which also included another controversial law, the Digital National Pakistan Bill - came on the heels of the rapid approval of the PECA amendments by both the National Assembly and the Senate. The International Federation of Journalists said in a statement that:
"The amendments to Pakistan’s draconian PECA represent a transparent attempt to further tighten control over digital expression and internet freedom under the guise of curbing misinformation. By extending government jurisdiction online, broadening censorship powers, and imposing penalties for vaguely defined offences, this legislation threatens journalists, activists, and the public’s right to information. The IFJ calls on President Asif Ali Zardari to swiftly reject the bill and ensure the constitutional right to freedom of expression is upheld.”
The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists said that they protest the passage of the amendments, and would “stage a grand sit in front of the Parliament House in Islamabad on February 14, 2025”.
January 28, 2025 - Comments Off on Senate passes PECA Amendments and Digital Nation Pakistan Bill 2025
Senate passes PECA Amendments and Digital Nation Pakistan Bill 2025
Pakistan’s Senate approved the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (2025) amendments and the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill on Tuesday, 28 January. The PECA amendments had earlier been approved by the National Assembly and Senate Committee on Interior. Similarly, the Senate Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication had passed the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill 2025 by majority vote.
The PECA amendments establish harsher penalties for disinformation, including up to three years imprisonment and Rs2 million fines. It also establishes the Digital Rights Protection Authority (DRPA) to regulate social media, investigate complaints, and remove unlawful content. The amendments also broaden the definition of social media platforms.
Journalists, accompanied by PPP Senator Sherry Rehman staged a walkout of the Senate gallery amid the passage of the amendments, and opposition members tore copies of the Bill in protest. PTI Senator Shibli Faraz criticised the lack of judicial capacity to handle fake news cases.
Separately, Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar tabled the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill (DNPB) 2025 after it was earlier approved by the Senate Committee on IT on 28 January. Just like PECA, DNPB was also quickly approved by majority vote amid objections. Members of the opposition raised concerns over lack of consultation leading up to the Senate meeting. JUIF Senator Kamran Murtaza accused the government of undermining provincial autonomy and centralising authority in Islamabad.
Both pieces of legislation now only require the President’s assent to be enacted as laws.
January 28, 2025 - Comments Off on Senate approves PECA Amendments amidst opposition uproar
Senate approves PECA Amendments amidst opposition uproar
Pakistan’s Senate formally approved the controversial amendments pertaining to the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (2025) on 28 January. The recent development took place a day after the Senate Standing Committee on Interior approved the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill, 2025 on Monday, 27 January amidst public outcry over the changes made without stakeholder input. The bill will now be sent to the President for formal approval before it becomes an act, a merely ceremonial process. The proposed PECA amendments include three years imprisonment for spreading fake news, creation of a social media protection authority for regulating online content, as well as the creation of a new investigation agency called the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency. The highly debated and criticised amendments to PECA were fast-tracked through the National Assembly last week.
Throughout recent weeks, and especially in the last week, journalists, human rights defenders, civil society, and the opposition protested these controversial amendments proposed to the country’s cyber crime laws, which threaten to curtail freedom of expression and promote mass censorship and surveillance by the State. Last week’s protests culminated in members of the opposition raising slogans and banging desks, and journalists staging an organised walk-out from the press gallery during the Friday Senate hearing. The Senate committee (Interior) meeting held on Monday also featured opposition from journalists present, whereas the Chair of Senate Committee on Interior Faisal Saleem Rehman in his opening remarks claimed that the Senate committee had not received any written feedback, concerns or comments from any journalist body. The sole opposition to the amendments from political parties in this meeting came from the JUIF’s Senator Kamran Murtaza. Senator Irfan Siddiqui of PML-N downplayed concerns about the amendments, stating there was “no need to fear” the changes. While criticising the lack of consultation with journalists before the bill, he assured that if the law is misused against the media, he would stand with journalists.
January 27, 2025 - Comments Off on NTISB warns users to avoid 16 malicious VPN and AI browser extensions
NTISB warns users to avoid 16 malicious VPN and AI browser extensions
The National Telecom and Information Technology Security Board (NITSB) highlighted 16 potentially malicious browser extensions for users to avoid.
According to the NITSB, the extensions identified, which include VPN and AI extensions, contain potential threats of hacking and data breaches. The list of extensions identified includes AI Assistant — ChatGPT and Gemini for Chrome, Bard AI Chat Extension, GPT 4 Summary with OpenAI, Search CoPilot AI Assistant for Chrome, Wayin AI, VPNCity, Internxt VPN, Vidniz Flex Video Recorder, VidHelper Video Downloader, Bookmark Favicon Changer, UVoice, Reader Mode, Parrot Talks, Primus, Trackker — Online Keylogger Tool, AI Shop Buddy, and Rewards Search Automation.
These extensions were among the targets of a large-scale data and credential theft attack by hackers last month. The advisory by NITSB urged users to avoid these extensions, only use trusted and extensively-reviewed extensions, and to read permissions carefully before granting them.
The use of VPNs has skyrocketed in Pakistan since the X ban last February, which is a reason for the surge in demand for VPN browser extensions as well.