Social media laws could be setback for Pakistan’s digital economy: Alice Wells

[Shahzaz ud din]

Social media laws could be setback for Pakistan’s digital economy: Alice Wells
By News Desk
Published: February 25, 2020
TWEET EMAIL

Unfortunate if Pakistan discourages foreign investors and stifles domestic innovation, says US senior diplomat. PHOTO: FILE

US top diplomat for South Asia Alice Wells has expressed concerns over the PTI government’s new social media policy, saying “new restrictions could be a setback to freedom of expression and development of digital economy”.

The new law – Citizens Protection (Against Online Harm) Rules, 2020 – requires all social media companies including YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok to register within three months and establish their offices in Islamabad.

They will have to create a data server in Pakistan within a year and block any account or prevent or remove any content that “violates or affects the religious, cultural, ethnic or national security sensitivities of Pakistan” and is “involved in spreading of fake news or defamation”.

The new rules have sparked a controversy with many claiming that the Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government would use it as a tool to stifle criticism of its policies under the premise of national security.

New social media laws not meant to muzzle dissent, says PM’s aide amid concerns

“Unfortunate if Pakistan discourages foreign investors & stifles domestic innovation in such a dynamic sector. Encourage discussion w/[with] stakeholders,” said Wells in a tweet from her official handle on Tuesday.

initially, the government defended its social media policy maintaining that the new laws amid at protecting citizens from online harms and later decided to review it policy amid the outcry.

The US diplomat’s statement comes a day after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had issued notice to the federation, and law, information and technology ministries in a petition challenging social media policy.

The petitioner’s counsel Jahangir Khan Jadoon maintained that the Citizens Protection (Against Online Harm) Rules, 2020 violated Article 19 and 19 (a) of the Constitution. He termed it an attempt by the government to stifle dissent and free speech.


Read more: Alice Wells , Latest , social media policy

 

[pakpride00090]

This aunty has to comment on every single thing...

I wonder why isn't she commenting about the anti-muslim violence in India.

 

[mudas777]

Its our country and its our laws and we don't need Western agenda with freedom of expression.

 

[W.11]

PTI is only a puppet organization, they are being controlled by people who brought them to power.

regards

 

[HttpError]

IK must re-think about these laws as they may cause more harm than any benefit.

 

[Areesh]

This aunty has to comment on every single thing...

I wonder why isn't she commenting about the anti-muslim violence in India.

Terms and conditions apply when it comes to dictation for human rights and freedom of expression by USA

 

[FuturePAF]

This is why People in the Industry (a panel of experts through experience) need to be the ones guiding the nation. We can't have major restrictions if we want IT to be a major economic Sector, it will drive investors away.

Don't kill the golden goose before it has laid its eggs. Don't kill it after either, just learn to manage it, carefully and lightly.

Having said that, Social Media does need to be monitored for Security Reasons. Its a tough balance, but one Pakistan needs to make for its own sake and not at the behest of foreigners.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

This is proper move , so PAKISTAN'S law can be enforced on Pakistani Citizen and the International companies are protecting user data

• Similar guidelines exist in Europe against US companies
• Similar guidelines exist in China against US social media companies
• Foreign companies must maintain their office in Pakistan and hire local workers and work with Pakistan's Law under consideration about Data Protection
• Even USA often asks companies to open Office in USA so that it can apply it's laws on these companies

 

[airmarshal]

F*ck off. Madaar chod.

 

[Indus Pakistan]

PTI is only a puppet organization, they are being controlled by people who brought them to power.

The public.

 

[Old School]

This law is necessary in order to protect national security. Who doesn't know that social media have become a choice of weapon of the imperialist powers to overthrow patriotic governments in the name of 'color revolutions' all over the world ? Only the NGO people will oppose this law who have been conductung anti-Pakistan activities for a long time.

 

[MastanKhan]

Social media laws could be setback for Pakistan’s digital economy: Alice Wells
By News Desk
Published: February 25, 2020
TWEET EMAIL

Unfortunate if Pakistan discourages foreign investors and stifles domestic innovation, says US senior diplomat. PHOTO: FILE

US top diplomat for South Asia Alice Wells has expressed concerns over the PTI government’s new social media policy, saying “new restrictions could be a setback to freedom of expression and development of digital economy”.

The new law – Citizens Protection (Against Online Harm) Rules, 2020 – requires all social media companies including YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok to register within three months and establish their offices in Islamabad.

They will have to create a data server in Pakistan within a year and block any account or prevent or remove any content that “violates or affects the religious, cultural, ethnic or national security sensitivities of Pakistan” and is “involved in spreading of fake news or defamation”.

The new rules have sparked a controversy with many claiming that the Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government would use it as a tool to stifle criticism of its policies under the premise of national security.

New social media laws not meant to muzzle dissent, says PM’s aide amid concerns

“Unfortunate if Pakistan discourages foreign investors & stifles domestic innovation in such a dynamic sector. Encourage discussion w/[with] stakeholders,” said Wells in a tweet from her official handle on Tuesday.

initially, the government defended its social media policy maintaining that the new laws amid at protecting citizens from online harms and later decided to review it policy amid the outcry.

The US diplomat’s statement comes a day after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had issued notice to the federation, and law, information and technology ministries in a petition challenging social media policy.

The petitioner’s counsel Jahangir Khan Jadoon maintained that the Citizens Protection (Against Online Harm) Rules, 2020 violated Article 19 and 19 (a) of the Constitution. He termed it an attempt by the government to stifle dissent and free speech.


Read more: Alice Wells , Latest , social media policy

Hi,

Since when did auntie Wells became so caring for pakistan---.

Seems like pakistan is the Red riding hood---and auntie wells is the big bad wolf---.

 

[Khanivore]

Miss Wells, does Pakistan interfere in America's decisions to safeguard its national security, its borders?

 

[El Sidd]

Alice has some peerni powers too?

 

[gangsta_rap]

Why are we still tolerating her BS?