PTA decided to remove illegal content from the internet
December 11, 2020
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority(PTA) decided to remove illegal content from the internet.
Removal and Blocking of Illegal Online Content (Procedures, Surveillance and Security Measures), Case 2020 Rules
The
PTA rejected the biased opinion on the rules.
According to the spokesperson, PTA assures that the rules will not harm the business environment in Pakistan in any way.
All rules were framed in accordance with the legal requirements under section (2) 37 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016.
A comprehensive consultative process was decided by an advisory committee set up under the direction of the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
Local and international stakeholders were invited to broaden the consultation process and incorporate diverse views.
Also
tweeted by PTA
Press Release: The Rules titled βThe Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards), Rules 2020β have been notified by the Federal Government vide notification dated 27 November 2020. pic.twitter.com/pS4JbS0cjo
β PTA (@PTAofficialpk) December 11, 2020
The
rules, entitled “Removal and Blocking of Illegal Online Content
(Regulation, Surveillance and Safety Measures), Rules 2020,” were notified
by the Federal Government in a notification on November 27, 2020.
The
Asian Internet Coalition and its members, namely Google, Facebook, etc., were
invited to the consultation process.
The
Advisory Committee met with the AIC on June 19, 2020.
The
committee and the AIC representatives discussed the proposals put forward by
the AIC on the consultative framework.
These Rules have been framed as a statutory requirement under Section 37(2) of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (#PECA). pic.twitter.com/xU2G9kdNhs
β PTA (@PTAofficialpk) December 11, 2020
At
AIC’s request, AIC members also contacted Facebook, Google and Twitter for
individual consultations.
Google
and Facebook participated in the consultation process on 26 and 29 June 2020,
respectively.
According
to the spokesperson, AIC said that it and other stakeholders were not included
in the consultation process which is wrong and untrue.
Following
the proposed consultation, a final report was completed and submitted to the
Federal Government, taking into account all reasonable concerns and
recommendations of the stakeholders and in accordance with the Constitution of
Pakistan and the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016.
According
to Article 19 of Pakistan, Chapter 2 of the Rules also includes freedom of
expression and the right to freedom of expression.