Nowadays social media users have a common complaint that some social media applications are not working but posts are still happening. The easiest way to run a blocked website or application is to use a VPN, but is it a VPN? Is the data safe for security or not?
Experts say that when a site is blocked on the Internet or a social media application is not running, users take an easy and stealthy route, a virtual private network or VPN is a software that blocks Access to websites becomes possible.
With the help of VPN, the online location of the user is changed, in simple words, the user accesses the blocked websites using a separate tunnel of the Internet by breaching the main server.
According to experts, VPN changes your location, which allows you to access any website that is blocked, ie VPN gives you access to blocked sites and social media networks. , but there is the highest fear of leaking personal information of any organization or person.
Freelancers and people involved in online business have also been affected by the ongoing restrictions in Pakistan. Those who buy and sell on digital platforms say that the restrictions have reduced foreign exchange. Slow, VPNs have affected online businesses including social media apps.
According to a Swiss company providing VPN services, Pakistan has recorded a huge increase in the number of VPN users this year. The main reason for this is the closure of social media sites, especially X. Students and online business users find it convenient regardless of data security concerns.
According to a report, the use of VPN in Pakistan has increased by six thousand percent during the last twelve months, but according to experts, VPNs that provide non-standard and free services can compromise your mobile device.
On the other hand, social media users are expressing concern over Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s (PTA) new plan to regulate the use of VPN as it bans some platforms including X and some other portals. which are already limited in Pakistan at present.
This was revealed during the Standing Committee meeting when the authorities are considering whitelisting certain proxy networks and blocking others. After the ban on microblogging platform X, there was a massive increase in the use of VPNs. After the ban on VPN, the Telecom Authority says that the number of Twitter users in the country has seen a drastic decline.
The move to ban VPNs will also disrupt businesses as experts have warned that banning VPNs could have a negative impact on the IT sector.
If the PML-N government approves the ban on VPNs, it could affect users’ ability to access multiple social media platforms or content restricted within Pakistan.
Such a ban could affect both individual consumers and businesses that rely on social media for communication and marketing.
It should be noted that a few days ago, significant progress was made in connection with the installation of a firewall to regulate digital media in Pakistan. Work on the framework for regulating over-the-top services has started and consultation with stakeholders has also been completed.
According to sources, the OTT regulatory framework will be approved by the federal cabinet after approval from the authority. Under the new framework, various forums including WhatsApp, Skype, Facebook Messenger, Emo, Viber will have to take license and authorization.
Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, online gaming and e-commerce will also be regulated under the new framework. Media digital services will also be jointly regulated by PTA and Pemra, communication services, application services and media. Services will be made a separate category.
According to the document, communication services will include all communication platforms including WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Emo, Skype, Viber.
Application services would include services such as Facebook, X, e-services, e-commerce, gaming and LinkedIn, non-broadcasting services would include forums such as YouTube, Netflix, Spotify and VOD.
Broadcasting service includes social media forums of channels operating in Pakistan. All regulatory frameworks will be regulated under PICA Act 2016, PEMRA Ordinance 2002 and PTA Act 1996.
Under the framework all stakeholders and companies will have to operate under local laws, all platforms will have to be registered or licensed within 12 months if the framework is approved.
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