PTA to block access to adult, blasphemous content

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA)  has taken a significant step to address harmful content including blocking access to anti-Islamic videos and proactive monitoring.

According to the latest reports, Pakistan tops the list of consuming adult content which is due to the readily available pornographic and blasphemous material on multiple online platforms despite previous Supreme Court orders.

To achieve this, PTA implemented the Central Domain Name System (C-DNS) policy enforcement mechanism in April 2022, enabling real-time blocking of unlawful content.

This move aims to ensure compliance with Section 37 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016.

Additionally, PTA has taken measures to address concerns surrounding social media platforms, particularly TikTok. In September 2020, PTA directed TikTok to block vulgar, indecent, immoral, and nude content for viewership in Pakistan.

The authority emphasized the need for effective content monitoring and moderation mechanisms to proactively remove objectionable content.

Earlier, the Ministry of Religious Affairs sounded the alarm on Pakistan’s disturbing ranking as one of the top countries consuming pornographic content, urging the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to intensify efforts to block and restrict access to harmful online content.

In a letter to the PTA, the ministry expressed concerns over the negative impact on public morality and society, particularly on youth.

The ministry acknowledged the PTA’s ongoing efforts to curb such content but emphasized the need for more effective measures, questioning the current enforcement of content regulations.