All Posts in Digital Rights Tracker

August 7, 2025 - Comments Off on Instagram update allows you to see reel likes 

Instagram update allows you to see reel likes 

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. Representative from Instagram, Adam Mosseri, has called this update a new way “to connect with the people you most care about,” instead of simply consuming content based off of your algorithm and from people you don’t know.

August 7, 2025 - Comments Off on Investigation underway to find suspects in Mardan assault case 

Investigation underway to find suspects in Mardan assault case 

Mardan police are currently searching for two suspects accused of assaulting and filming a teenage boy in the city. The video, which went viral on social media and was made up to a year ago, shows a teenage boy being assaulted and beaten up by two men. The suspects, when found, will be arrested under multiple sections of the Pakistan Penal Code including Section 292, 355, 376 and 506.   

August 7, 2025 - Comments Off on Punishment sought for cyber offenses at National Assembly convening 

Punishment sought for cyber offenses at National Assembly convening 

At the recent convening on Wednesday, the National Assembly (NA) urged state officials to enact strict punishments for cyber offenses that promulgate tech-facilitated gender-based violence including unauthorized video recordings, dissemination of private pictures and digital defamation. A resolution brought forward by PML-N, and adopted unanimously, called such acts unconstitutional and a breach of privacy, especially for women who already face a climate of fear and insecurity. 

August 6, 2025 - Comments Off on Report finds X policies to cause spike in anti-Muslim, anti-migrant content

Report finds X policies to cause spike in anti-Muslim, anti-migrant content

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 platforms open source code, “systematically prioritise" content that incites hate, conflict, and drives reactions and engagement. With little to no safeguards in place, this creates a breeding ground for X users to spread false claims, exchange hateful speech and carry out blatant online harassment. 

August 5, 2025 - Comments Off on Warning issued by PTA against illegal content sharing 

Warning issued by PTA against illegal content sharing 

Social media users were issued a public service announcement by the Pakistan telecommunication Authority (PTA) warning them against sharing illegal content. While acknowledging citizen's freedom to express themselves, the official announcement prohibited users from making, sharing or engaging with unlawful content. The term “unlawful content” was further explained to be anything that can be categorised as blasphemous, anti-state, anti-defense, immoral, and fake.  

August 5, 2025 - Comments Off on PFUJ condemns freedom of expression crackdown 

PFUJ condemns freedom of expression crackdown 

At its 75th anniversary meeting, representatives from the Pakistan Federation Union of Journalists (PFUJ) issued a declaration condemning the government’s "escalating crackdown” on freedom of expression and media independence. The PFUJ president asked for a complete withdrawal of PECA amendments and other unconstitutional bills. The amendments, made in the beginning of 2025, are termed “unjustified, anti-media, and reflective of an authoritarian mindset,” by the PFUJ council.    

August 5, 2025 - Comments Off on STEM feed launched on Tiktok Pakistan 

STEM feed launched on Tiktok Pakistan 

In partnership with the Ministry of Information and Technology and Telecommunications, renowned social media platform TikTok officially announced and launched a new feed in its platform dedicated to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). The update provides users with an in-app experience where they can explore, create and reshare curated content specific to STEM and is specifically designed to promote curiosity, learning and critical thinking. TikTok hopes to nurture inclusive content across provinces, cultures and languages in Pakistan and further plans to partner with higher education institutes to launch training programmes for educators. 

August 4, 2025 - Comments Off on Suspects in viral video case arrested by Mardan police

Suspects in viral video case arrested by Mardan police

After taking notice of a viral video on social media, Mardan police arrested four suspected individuals for harassing a teenage girl. The video, made viral on TikTok, showed a young teenage girl being harassed by men at a private event in the KPK city. Prominent figures such as journalist Asad Ali Toor and urged provincial authorities to take swift action against the perpetrators.