Pakistan Temporarily Blocks Social Media – TechCrunch

Pakistan has temporarily blocked several social media services in the South Asian nation, according to users and a government release verified by TechCrunch.

In an order titled “Complete Blocking of Social Media Platforms”, the Pakistani government ordered the Pakistani Telecommunications Authority to open social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube and Telegram from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. local time (6 a.m. to 10 a.m.) GMT.) To block) Friday.

Pakistan is trying to take action against a violent terrorist group and prevent troublemakers from disrupting Friday prayer communities after days of violent protests.

Earlier this week, Pakistan banned the Islamist group Tehrik-i-Labaik Pakistan after it arrested its leader, which led to protests, according to local media reports.

A Pakistan-based entrepreneur told TechCrunch that although the order is set to expire at 3 p.m. local time, similar previous government moves suggest the disruption is likely to last longer.

Although Pakistan, like its neighboring country India, has temporarily restricted access to phone calls in the country in the past, this is the first time Islamabad has passed a blanket social media ban in the country.

Pakistan has been looking for ways to gain more control over the content of the digital services operated in the country in recent years. Some activists said the country was taking extreme measures without much explanation.

What kind of national emergency are we facing that the government temporarily banned all social media? These arbitrary blocking and prohibition decisions never brought anything, but opened the way to blanket bans.

– Nighat Dad (ignighatdad) April 16, 2021