Pakistan Telecommunication Authority Chairman Hafeezur Rehman has said on Monday that on behalf of PTA This vp Registration has been initiated, after which illegal VPNs will be blocked.
Chairman during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology at Parliament House on Monday PTA Hafeezur Rehman told the committee that PTA receives more than 150 complaints against social media companies on a daily basis.
‘98% of complaints are against TikTok, 48% against Meta and 52% against YouTube.’
According to him: ‘These complaints are received by common man and institutions and the content is blocked for violating the laws of Pakistan.’
According to him: ‘So far 20,500 VPNs have been registered after which we will block illegal VPNs.’
The meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology was held at the Parliament House on Monday, which was chaired by Senator Palusha Khan.
Committee member Senator Humayun Mohmand raised the question, ‘Is it legal to use VPN to access X?’
On this, the Ministry of Interior officials present in the committee replied that ‘Access to X through VPN is illegal.’
On this, Senator Humayun Mohmand said, ‘If it is illegal, why does the Prime Minister use VPN?’
Senator Anusha Rehman remarked ‘If Pakistan If X is blocked then why can’t it be completely blocked?’
Interior Ministry officials said that ‘X’s case is under hearing in Islamabad, Sindh and Lahore High Courts.’
Chairman PTA Khafeezur Rahman said that we are running a campaign everywhere regarding VPN registration. And also registering the VPN to stay on record.’
After the committee meeting, when the journalists asked the Chairman PTA that the Internet was slow yesterday, what was the reason why the Internet was not working?
Chairman PTA expressed his ignorance and said that ‘no such thing, my internet was working perfectly.’
Earlier on August 1, 2024, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the regulatory body of communication in Pakistan, told a Senate committee that considering the online business, the White of Virtual Private Network (VPN) Listing is being done after which VPNs can be used in the country.
He had said that ‘due to the shutdown of X (formerly Twitter) in Pakistan, the number of X users in the country has decreased by 70 percent, while 30 percent of users are using X through VPN.’
What is VPN Whitelisting?
Chairman PTA told Independent Urdu that social networking websites will be able to be used through registration in the country after the whitelisting process is completed.
He said that VPN whitelisting means that citizens should register with a regulator. He said that any organization or individual can register on it.
Citing the example of China, he said, ‘Social networking websites are blocked there. After arriving in China and registering, we are allowed to use a VPN so we can contact family.’
Hafeezur Rahman said whitelisting is a long process which may take two to three years to complete.
On September 11, 2022, Pakistan Telecommunication had issued a notice to monitor online communication of hidden and encrypted methods, which stated that communication methods that make communication hidden or encrypted are PTA. It is a violation of the rules.
Why VPN is used, why registration is necessary?
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Speaking to Independent Urdu, former Additional DG of FIA and expert on IT Amar Jafari said that first of all it is necessary to understand what VPN is. VPN i.e. Virtual Private Network becomes a virtual tunnel between two people or two networks without outside interference.
He said that ‘a simple example is like the traffic is going on the road, then due to lack of security there, if a private tunnel is built where the entry of limited people is allowed, then it becomes safe. Some are commercial and some are private encryption.
When asked, how can a user download and use a VPN application and how can he be stopped or registered when he does not use it?
He said, ‘Proxy has its own game, most of the proxies are used for the wrong website. But there is no problem if the proxy is being used for a fair purpose.’
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#block #illegal #VPNs #PTA
2024-09-10 10:53:49
Table of Contents
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority: Initiating VPN Registration and Whitelisting to Ensure Secure Online Communication
In a recent meeting with the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology, Chairman of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Hafeezur Rehman, announced the initiation of VPN registration and whitelisting to ensure secure online communication in Pakistan. This move is aimed at blocking illegal VPNs and ensuring that only registered VPNs are allowed to operate in the country.
PTA’s Complaints Against Social Media Companies
During the meeting, Chairman PTA revealed that the authority receives over 150 complaints against social media companies on a daily basis, with 98% of complaints against TikTok, 48% against Meta, and 52% against YouTube. These complaints are received from common citizens and institutions, and the content is blocked for violating the laws of Pakistan.
What is VPN Whitelisting?
Chairman PTA explained that VPN whitelisting means that citizens should register with a regulator, allowing them to use VPNs to access social networking websites in the country. This registration process is expected to take two to three years to complete. Citing the example of China, where social networking websites are blocked, Chairman PTA emphasized that registration is necessary to ensure secure online communication.
Why VPN is Used and Why Registration is Necessary
Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a virtual tunnel between two people or two networks that allows for secure communication without outside interference. According to former Additional DG of FIA and expert on IT, Amar Jafari, VPNs are used to ensure secure communication, but they can also be used to bypass laws and regulations. Registration is necessary to prevent the misuse of VPNs and to ensure that they are used for legal purposes.
PTA’s Campaign for VPN Registration
Chairman PTA emphasized that the authority is running a campaign to register VPNs and ensure that only legal VPNs operate in the country. This move is aimed at blocking illegal VPN
PTA chairman
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority: Regulating the Digital Landscape
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is the regulatory body responsible for overseeing the telecommunication sector in Pakistan. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the PTA plays a vital role in promoting investment, encouraging competition, protecting consumer interests, and ensuring high-quality Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) services in the country.
VPNs and Whitelisting: A New Era of Regulation
In a recent meeting with the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology, PTA Chairman Hafeezur Rehman announced the initiation of a VPN registration process, aimed at blocking illegal VPNs and promoting a safer online environment. This move comes as a response to the growing concerns over online content and cybersecurity.
According to the Chairman, over 150 complaints are received daily against social media companies, with 98% of these complaints being against TikTok, 48% against Meta, and 52% against YouTube. The PTA has already registered over 20,500 VPNs, with plans to block illegal VPNs in the near future.
What is VPN Whitelisting?
VPN whitelisting is a process that allows citizens to register with a regulator, enabling them to access social networking websites legally. This registration process is open to any organization or individual, providing a legal framework for online activities.
The Chairman cited China as an example, where social networking websites are blocked, but can be accessed through VPN whitelisting. This process is aimed at promoting a safer online environment, while also ensuring that citizens have access to the online services they need.
PTA’s Role in Regulating the Digital Landscape
The PTA plays a crucial role in regulating the digital landscape in Pakistan. From promoting investment and encouraging competition to protecting consumer interests and ensuring high-quality ICT services, the PTA’s responsibilities are far-reaching.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the PTA must stay ahead of the curve, addressing emerging issues and promoting a safer online environment for all citizens.
Social Media and Online Content
The PTA receives numerous complaints against social media companies daily, with the majority being against TikTok, Meta, and YouTube. The Chairman highlighted that these complaints are received from both individuals and institutions, and the content is blocked for violating Pakistan’s laws.
Conclusion
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority is committed to promoting a safer online environment, encouraging investment, and protecting consumer interests. The initiation of VPN registration and whitelisting process is a significant step towards achieving these goals.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the PTA must stay vigilant, addressing emerging issues and promoting a safer online environment for all citizens. By doing so, the PTA can ensure that Pakistan’s digital landscape remains a vibrant and dynamic space, driven by innovation and progress.
Resources:
[1] PTA (@PTAofficialpk) / X – Twitter
[2] Pakistan Telecommunication Authority | Islamabad – Facebook
* [3] PTA – Official Website