Technology

PTA whitelists 20,437 VPNs to regulate private networks

Published by
Digital Desk

ISLAMABAD: To regulate VPN usage across the country, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has whitelisted 20,437 Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).

According to the details, PTA whitelisted VPNs of over 1,422 companies including 136 freelancer companies. The telecom authority also registered 417 VPNs associated with the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA).

The Ministry of Information Technology has said that the telecom watchdog has handed over IP whitelisting controls to the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) to manage “One Window Operations” for call centers and freelancers.

This allows the PTA to facilitate VPN registration for companies and freelancers, working closely with stakeholders like the Ministry of IT, PSEB, and the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA).

Recently, the PTA under Clause 37 (1) of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 initiated measures to block unlawful online content. However, users can still access restricted content via VPNs.

This practice poses a challenge for the PTA as VPN users can bypass the state-imposed restriction on unlawful content on social media.

While VPNs pose challenges for the PTA, they are widely used by legitimate IT businesses for secure private network management. To balance these needs while preventing misuse, the PTA has issued public notices for VPN registration.

Digital Desk

Recent Posts

When will Safar moon be sighted? SUPARCO predicts

ISLAMABAD: According to Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), the new moon of…

40 minutes ago

11 died as house collapses in Kohat after heavy rains

KOHAT: A residential house collapsed due to heavy rain in the Malgin area of ​​Lachi…

1 hour ago

Alternative to the Strait of Hormuz Ready: UAE Decides to Build New Port

ABU DHUBAI: The United Arab Emirates has prepared a plan to establish a new multi-purpose port…

1 hour ago

Afghan Women’s refugee team could Play International matches by 2030

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) is considering plans that could allow the Afghan women's…

2 hours ago

US-Iran tensions spark fears of fuel price hike in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Escalating tensions between the United States and Iran have once again unsettled global oil…

2 hours ago

ICC Arbitration Puts Pakistan’s Energy Sector Under Pressure

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's energy sector is headed for another high-stakes international commercial arbitration, with Petrosin CNG…

3 hours ago