September 15, 2025 - Comments Off on August 2025 (100th Edition): Solidarity Beyond Borders – DRAPAC and Beyond
August 2025 (100th Edition): Solidarity Beyond Borders – DRAPAC and Beyond
Regional Engagements & Initiatives:
Cross-Border Solidarity in Action: DRF at #DRAPAC25
DRAPAC 2025 in Kuala Lumpur was a whirlwind three days of powerful conversations and regional solidarity! We proudly contributed throughout: Programs Lead Anam Baloch co-facilitated the opening workshop on feminist helplines for OGBV survivors, and dove into sessions on AI, mental privacy, internet measurement, platform accountability, and feminist, decolonial approaches to tech. From leading a threat-modelling workshop on image-based abuse to joining global dialogues on deepfakes, accessibility, and regional governance, DRF’s presence underscored our commitment to safer, inclusive digital futures across the Asia-Pacific.
DRF at SoPG 2025
Research Associate Sara Imran participated in the School on Platform Governance (SoPG) 2025 in Bangkok, hosted by the Association for Progressive Communications and Open Net Korea. The three-day programme brought together emerging voices from across South and Southeast Asia to unpack the complex intersections of technology, law, and human rights. Through interactive lectures, case studies, and peer-led discussions, participants explored platform models, intermediary liability, global frameworks like the EU’s DSA/DMA, risks of censorship, and civil society’s vital role in accountability, shaping stronger, rights-based approaches to digital governance.
Mental Health, AI, and Journalist Safety: DRF at SWIFT 2025
This August, our team joined hands with the SWIFT group, a journalist safety response platform for Asia. DRF participated in the 4th regional meeting held in Indonesia, which focused on safety and support for journalists. Key topics included the mental health of journalists, the role of AI in journalism, and how we can come together to support journalists in distress.
Our Latest Research & Advocacy:
GDIP Focus Group Discussions
DRF’s research team conducted two focus group discussions online and in-person to discuss the digital gender gap in Pakistan, how women use digital spaces for economic and financial purposes, and the challenges they face doing so. With over 12 participants in total, women were invited to share their unique experiences of accessing the internet in Pakistan.
Our Analysis on the National AI Policy
In light of Pakistan passing its first National AI Policy, DRF’s Legal and Research team analyzed the keystone document pointing out critical areas of improvements including the lack of inclusive and transparent development, massive gaps in data protection along with weak legal and institutional safeguards in place. Read our in-depth analysis here.
National Assembly Passes a Resolution Against Capturing of Non-Consensual Videos And Images
In August, the National Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution condemning the non-consensual recording and transmission of content, particularly of women, in public or private spaces, declaring such acts as a violation of fundamental rights. Read our legal team’s breakdown here.
Intern Spotlight
August marked the end of our summer internship programme, and our interns left some stellar reviews…
Digital Rights Tracker Updates
Safe City Project installs surveillance cameras across Rawalpindi
Date: 4 August
Under the Safe City Project, the government has planned to install over 2,000 high-resolution security cameras in Rawalpindi across 359 locations. With claims made by the government about the usefulness of such cameras for monitoring traffic, public spaces and real-time incident reporting, the Safe City Project was started in Punjab to boost public safety. So far, 1,700 cameras have been installed in the city in market places, major road crossings and entry and exit points of Rawalpindi.
Balochistan faces suspended mobile internet services over security concerns
Date: 6 August
Due to security concerns, mobile internet services have been suspended in the Balochistan province as confirmed by officials on Wednesday. The suspension is expected to affect multiple areas in the province, including the capital city, Quetta.
Report finds X policies to cause spike in anti-Muslim, anti-migrant content
Date: 6 August
Following last year’s deadly terrorist attack in Southport, United Kingdom, Amnesty International has uncovered how policy and design at X has played a large part in allowing and encouraging racist and hate-driven narratives against Muslims and migrants in the country. In their technical analysis, researchers found that content-ranking algorithms embedded in the platform's open source code, “systematically prioritise" content that incites hate, conflict, and drives reactions and engagement.
Instagram update allows you to see reel likes
Date: 7 August
In a recent update on Meta’s social media platform Instagram, users can now repost their friends' content and access their follower’s shared reels on a new ‘Friends’ tab. Additionally, a map feature allows you to see in real-time where you and your followers are.
NA to deliberate ‘Prohibition of Obscenity and Vulgarity on Digital Media Bill 2025’ Date published: 16 August
A new bill, the Prohibition of Obscenity and Vulgarity on Digital Media Bill 2025, is set for debate in the upcoming National Assembly session. The bill seeks to curb obscene content on digital platforms. Violations carry strict punishments: up to five years in jail and Rs10m fine for offences involving religion, women, children, or family values. Digital platforms must report content within 15 days, remove flagged material within 24 hours, and keep records for three years, facing fines up to Rs100m for non-compliance. Repeat offenders risk license cancellation.
NADRA app shows bizarre ‘death cancellation’ option for users themselves
Date published: 18 August
The National Database and Registration Authority’s (NADRA) mobile app has drawn criticism after users spotted a confusing feature that appears to let deceased individuals cancel their own identity cards. Under the app’s “Cancel Identity Due to Death” option, applicants are given two choices: one for relatives of the deceased, and another labeled “Myself.” Strangely, selecting the latter triggers a facial recognition “liveness check”.
Country’s internet connectivity drops to 20% after PTCL, Ufone outage
Date published: 20 August
Heavy rainfall in Karachi triggered major service disruptions to PTCL internet and Ufone networks, causing nationwide connectivity issues. Since other telecom operators source wholesale internet from PTCL, Jazz, Zong, and Telenor, subscribers also experienced service slowdowns and outages. Netblocks, a global internet watchdog, confirmed a nationwide disruption, reporting that internet connectivity had dropped to just 20% of ordinary levels.
Balochistan High Court restores mobile internet
Date published: 21 August
The Balochistan High Court has ordered the immediate restoration of mobile internet services, ending a 15-day suspension imposed over “security reasons.” Following the order, mobile internet was restored in Quetta and parts of Pishin and Chaman, with officials confirming full resumption in Dalbandin, Pishin, Chaman, and Taftan within hours.
Digitization of BISP continues with the launch of 10mn digital wallets
Date: 25 August
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently announced the inauguration of over 10 million digital wallets for the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). Supported by a citizen’s CNIC and Biometric Verification, these digital systems align with the government’s larger objectives of moving towards cashless economies by leveraging digital public infrastructure facilities like Digital ID’s and financial technologies.
Online scammers circulate forged FIRs in the FIA’s name
Date: 25 August
Recently, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) received a number of cases involving fake First Information Reports (FIRs) circulating on social media bearing their stamp. Scammers pretending to act on behalf of the agency were charging individuals under a list of money laundering, cyber crime, and criminal conspiracy-related crimes with the intent of blackmailing and extorting them. The FIA sent out an alert advising aggrieved individuals to file complaints with the NCCIA so that these “criminal elements” can be apprehended swiftly.
PM Shehbaz calls for the integration of AI in Customs Reforms
Date: 27 August
In a recent meeting to discuss progress on customs-related inspection and assessments reforms, Shehbaz Sharif directed the FBR to streamline all customs procedures under a strategy that leverages Artificial Intelligence to reduce human intervention and improve administrative efficiency. This would include using AI to improve logistical coordination with regards to cargo clearance from ports and communication between various departments. According to the PM, AI represents new international best practices and through its involvement in governance and investment reform, economic growth could be fostered.
Three new subsea cables to be installed as part of Pakistan’s latest bid to enhance Digital Connectivity
Date: 28 August
The IT Minister Shaza Fatima recently announced the government’s plans to lay down three new submarine Internet cables to support digital connectivity and enhance internet performance. This, in the eyes of the government, is an essential step towards achieving the much touted rollout of 5G internet services in Pakistan as well. In addition, the project will expand bandwidth capacity and reduce outages that were common in older submarine cables.
Press Coverage
Helping Keep You Safe: DRF PSAs Widely Shared as Online Scams Rise
Since January 2025 alone, our Digital Security Helpline has received 280 complaints from people that have fallen victim to online scams. Latest scams feature hackers pretending to deliver a parcel only to attempt to hack your WhatsApp through a six-digit code sent to your phone, or pretend to be from the Federal Investigation Agency to gain access to your financial information. Read more on how to stay safe here, as covered by DAWN, Profit, and the Daily Times.
Nighat Dad on Livestream Culture
Following the death of French creator Raphael Graven, the DRF Founder spoke to TRT Global on the rise of livestream culture in Pakistan. Dad underscored the immense pressures creators feel to perform, and emphasised the need for platforms to urgently implement safeguards to protect and support creators. Read more here.
More of us in the press this month:
Events
DRF Leads Cyberbullying Awareness Session at UCMD
On August 18, 2025, the Legal team at DRF attended and participated in a panel discussion at the University College of Medicine & Dentistry (UCMD) for a Cyberbullying Awareness Event. The session focused on educating medical students about the impact of cyberbullying and how to address it.
Irum Shujah, DRF’s Legal Lead, spoke alongside an in-house psychologist who highlighted the psychological effects and emotional trauma victims face. DRF complemented this by explaining the legal framework governing online harassment and sharing practical reporting mechanisms. Ms. Shujah stressed the importance of knowing one’s rights and available options for filing complaints and seeking support.
Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue: Facilitating the Implementation of Pakistan’s National AI Policy 2025 With a Focus on Public Interest
DRF's Legal Lead, Irum Shujah, participated in IRADA's multi-stakeholder dialogue on Pakistan's National AI Policy, highlighting key concerns, including vague commitments on privacy and security. The roundtable focused on the lack of clear AI training frameworks, data governance gaps, and gender blind spots that risk further marginalising women and vulnerable groups.
Tech Trends
Google AI-Search comes to Pakistan
Google has officially launched its AI-powered search engine in Pakistan, a state of the art search experience that allows users to make internet surfing faster, smarter and less time consuming. First introduced in the United States and modeled after Gemini 2.5, Google AI assistant, the feature lets users ask two to three times longer questions than a traditional search engine and is said to help especially in research, travel itineraries and education. Searches can be made either through text, voice or images helping create a conversational experience. AI Mode is currently only available in English on all Google applications with plans for Urdu support to be added in the future.
Tip of the Month
Use a Secure Virtual Keyboard to Prevent Keylogging
Why It Matters:
Keyloggers, malicious software that records keystrokes, can stealthily capture passwords, credit card numbers, or just about anything you type, especially on public or shared devices. This poses a serious threat to digital rights and personal safety.
What to Do:
- Install and activate a virtual (on-screen) keyboard app when entering sensitive data, like passwords or PINs, on mobile or desktop devices.
- Many antivirus or security suites include built-in virtual keyboards (e.g., Kaspersky, Avast, Windows built-in “On-Screen Keyboard”). Alternatively, use trusted standalone tools.
- For mobile users, some keyboards offer secure modes that temporarily disable predictive text and clipboard access during password entry.
- Always download such tools from official app stores or verified vendor websites.
How It Helps:
- Blocks hardware keyloggers (physical devices attached to keyboards) and software keyloggers (malicious apps) from capturing your input.
- Especially useful when using public computers, shared workstations, or when there's a potential risk of infection.
DRF Resources:
Digital Security Helpline:
The Digital Security Helpline received 362 complaints in August 2025, of which 296 were related to cyber harassment.
If you’re encountering a problem online, you can reach out to our helpline at 0800-39393, email us at helpdesk@digitalrightsfoundation.pk or reach out to us on our social media accounts. We’re available for assistance from 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday to Sunday.
Legal Support:
DRF’s Legal team processed seven complaints in August 2025, five of which involved women, primarily concerning cyber harassment, blackmail, and defamation.
If you’re in need of any legal support or advice, you can reach out to DRF’s Ab Aur Nahin portal.
IWF Portal
StopNCII.org
