Pakistan all set to introduce new body to ‘regulate’ social media

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is set to introduce a new authority to regulate social media, a move that many believe could limit freedom of expression on social networking websites.

As per the details, the government will set up a “Digital Rights Protection Authority (DRPA)” to regulate social media platforms.

According to the media reports, the Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has approved the final draft of the legislation to establish a new authority to regulate social media by allowing amendments to the PECA Act 2016.

The document approved by the Law Reforms Committee of the Cabinet states that the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications has considered setting up a Digital Rights Protection Authority (DRPA) under PECA 2016 to deal with dynamic digital vulnerabilities.

“DRPA will be an important step towards protection and protection of digital rights and can play an important role in ensuring the protection of citizens’ rights in the digital realm,” read the documents.

“The proposed DRPA will be established with its headquarters in Islamabad and will be tasked with protecting digital rights and ensuring online safety,” it added.

“The DRPA will advise the government on matters related to digital rights, promote education about online safety, and responsible internet use, in collaboration with social media platforms to ensure compliance with regulations. will facilitate and promote a positive digital ecosystem.

DRPA’s other functions include regulating online content, investigating violations, and prosecuting offenders.

DRPA may subpoena persons for testimony, issue directions, enter into agreements and make rules to implement digital rights laws,” read the document. Officials said that through these measures, the DRPA will promote user safety and create a safe and trusted digital environment by protecting fundamental rights in the online realm.

The draft PECA (Amendment) Bill, 2024 was sent to the Ministry of Law and Justice and the Ministry of Finance to record views on financial implications from a legal point of view.

A draft bill to amend the Prevention of Electronic Crime Act, 2016 (XL of 2016) has been scrutinized by the Ministry of Law and Justice and will soon be tabled in Parliament.

Read More: Leaked computer science paper of 9th-grade goes viral on social media

The authority will facilitate collaboration with social media platforms to ensure compliance with regulations and promote a positive digital ecosystem. The authority will regulate online content, investigate violations of the law on social media, prosecute offenders under the new PECA law, and summon any citizen for enquiry.

The new authority will also be able to issue directives to institutions related to cyber matters. DRPA will be able to contract with anyone and make rules to implement digital rights laws.

This authority will create a safe and reliable digital environment by promoting user safety and protecting fundamental rights in the online realm.