Blog Archives

Latest Posts

Monthly

Categories

All Posts in Digital Rights Tracker

September 6, 2025 - Comments Off on IT Ministry and Alibaba Partner to Boost Digital Trade

IT Ministry and Alibaba Partner to Boost Digital Trade

The Ministry of Information Technology (IT) and Telecommunication in Pakistan has partnered with Alibaba to boost the country’s digital trade and support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in Beijing, aims to expand global opportunities for Pakistani businesses. Under the agreement, Alibaba will facilitate online and offline promotional activities, including trade shows and an online national pavilion. The company will also provide training and AI-powered tools to select SMEs and startups. The IT ministry’s Ignite National Technology Fund will assist with implementation.

 

September 6, 2025 - Comments Off on EU Fines Google for Anti-Competitive Practices

EU Fines Google for Anti-Competitive Practices

The European Union has fined Google 2.95 billion euros for its anti-competitive behavior in the ad tech market. This is the fourth antitrust penalty for Google in a decade-long battle with the EU. The European Commission says that since 2014, Google has abused its market power by favoring its own online display technology services, which gives its ad exchange, AdX, an unfair advantage. The commission has ordered Google to stop these practices and address the conflicts of interest. Although Google plans to appeal the decision, the EU has warned that it will impose stronger remedies if the company fails to comply.

September 4, 2025 - Comments Off on Google ordered to pay up to $400m for tracking users

Google ordered to pay up to $400m for tracking users

After allegations of privacy violations were made against Google were made in San Francisco, a federal jury has ordered the tech company to pay $425 million in damages to victims for continuing to collect their personal information even after tracking settings were switched off. Spanning over eight years, Google was guilty of collecting, saving and using user data against their consent and in direct violation of their privacy assurances made under Web and App Activity settings. While claiming that the company has only collected “nonpersonal, pseudonymous data,” Google plans on filing an appeal. Over the past year, Google has faced a number of lawsuits that allege invasions of privacy for states and individuals alike.

September 3, 2025 - Comments Off on Over Rs. 2 billion in online fraud reported in Pakistan 

Over Rs. 2 billion in online fraud reported in Pakistan 

Approximately Rs.2-3 billion worth of online financial fraud has been reported in Pakistan over the year according to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). While briefing a parliamentary committee in Islamabad, the NCCIA said that recent cases of financial fraud have increased especially through WhatsApp, with extortion that targets trusted people such as family and friends. Illegally operating call centers and software houses across the country make fake calls made to ordinary citizens claiming to be trusted investment schemes and con them out of millions of rupees.

September 3, 2025 - Comments Off on Ducky Bhai in custody till September 5 

Ducky Bhai in custody till September 5 

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) will hold YouTuber Saadur Rehman, better known as Ducky Bhai, in custody for two more days after being awarded an extension in his physical remand. This comes after an initial extension of two days was granted to the NCCIA to hold the accused till September 3rd. Last month, the YouTuber was accused of promoting illegal gambling applications on his channel and was arrested while trying to flee the country from Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport.

September 2, 2025 - Comments Off on Research finds malicious prompts hidden in AI image processing models 

Research finds malicious prompts hidden in AI image processing models 

In a recent report published by Trail of Bits, researchers find malicious hidden prompts in language learning models (LLMs) specifically when processing visual media. These prompts, easily embedded into the system by hackers, are exploited to downscale and manipulate image prompts through unauthorized actions. While on the surface everything appears to be normal by users, AI carries out hidden instructions at the back end that pose serious risks for data privacy and personal identity. The researchers urge the public to be cautious and take preemptive measures such as firewall security to ensure their online safety. 

September 2, 2025 - Comments Off on Man accused of threatening and harassing social media influencer arrested 

Man accused of threatening and harassing social media influencer arrested 

Islamabad police have arrested the suspect accused of harassing and threatening social media influencer Samiya Hijab. On Sunday evening, Samiya Hijab filed a First Investigation Report (FIR) and posted a video on her Instagram account, accusing a man of repeatedly harassing her, physically assaulting her and threatening to abduct her from her home. The case, registered under sections 354, 365, 392, 500, 509 and 511 of the Pakistan Penal Code, was immediately taken up by local police.

September 1, 2025 - Comments Off on Concerns over age-verification software raised in Australian report 

Concerns over age-verification software raised in Australian report 

Concerns over selfie-based age verification software mount as an Australian government commissioned report finds “unacceptable” inaccuracies. In anticipation of the software’s full rollout in December of this year, a trial run was conducted by government appointed authorities to understand its precision and reliability. 

The report found that while age estimations made through photos are largely fast, accurate and safe, it becomes harder for children near the age of 16, who had an 8.5 percent chance of being estimated as underage. More concerningly, the software shows early signs of algorithmic discrimination that would make it particularly difficult for non-Causians and teenage girls to be precisely categorised.

August 31, 2025 - Comments Off on Meta addresses mental health challenges posed by AI

Meta addresses mental health challenges posed by AI

With a recent surge in instances where AI chatbots engage in sensitive and provocative discussions around self-harm and romance, Meta has announced its commitment to adding new safeguards for teenage users when using AI products and subsequent training systems. This comes directly after Reuters exclusive report revealing Meta’s AI to be having intimate conversations with minors as well as sensitive issues such as suicide. Representatives from Meta have said that they are working on adjusting their AI policies that would limit minors from interacting with specific AI characters that can prove to be harmful to their physical and mental health.

August 31, 2025 - Comments Off on CCTV surveillance amounts to workplace harassment – FOSPAH

CCTV surveillance amounts to workplace harassment – FOSPAH

Surveillance of employees through CCTV cameras has been declared as workplace harassment by the Federal Ombudsperson for Protection Against Harassment (FOSPAH). This decision comes directly after a complaint was filed by a female employee at an institution in Rawalpindi, claiming that the CEO was subjecting her to "excessive surveillance and intimidation.” 

A detailed review of the evidence and incident found that the accused had engaged in unjustified and targeted monitoring of his employees, creating an unsafe, hostile work environment. Along with a penalty censure, the accused was also ordered to pay up to Rs.50,000 as compensatory damages to the victim.