I write on how politics has largely moved online, how journalism is being choked and changed, how regulation is non-transparent, how technology is shaping society, and how the online space is shrinking for critical voices.
Pro-government ‘fact checkers’ are vilifying Pakistani journalists
Pro-government ‘fact checkers’ are vilifying Pakistani journalists
An army of online volunteers has come to the aid of Prime Minister Imran Khan, picking apart stories that criticize the government
Digital jalsas catch on as censorship pushes viewers online
Digital jalsas catch on as censorship pushes viewers online
Does censorship on mainstream media work in the age of social media?
Amid social media bans, creators fear loss of earning
Amid social media bans, creators fear loss of earning
Uncertainty looms for the content creators following the ban on TikTok and warning to YouTube.
Facebook removes network of accounts, pages ‘operated from Pakistan’
Facebook removes network of accounts, pages ‘operated from Pakistan’
Most accounts, Pages and Groups engaged in coordinated reporting of content critical of Pakistan or supportive of India.
Govt bans five more apps to curb ‘immoral content’
Govt bans five more apps to curb ‘immoral content’
The PTA announces a sweeping ban on dating applications, including Tinder, Grindr and SayHi.
Ban on PUBG to remain in interest of public order: PTA
Ban on PUBG to remain in interest of public order: PTA
The PTA discusses its jurisdiction to block online content, the impact of the ban on e-sports, and the “negative effects” of the online game on mental health of the players.
PTA asks operators to ensure ‘immoral’ content is inaccessible to users
PTA asks operators to ensure ‘immoral’ content is inaccessible to users
Internet service providers asked to ensure that no pornographic/immoral/illegal content is being served to the users through CDNs.
Live streaming app Bigo banned in Pakistan
Live streaming app Bigo banned in Pakistan
Bigo banned, final warning issued to TikTok over obscene and immoral content on the platforms.
Govt finalises policy to check Covid-19 disinformation
Govt finalises policy to check Covid-19 disinformation
Media regulatory bodies asked to take strict action against individuals propagating ‘fake news’.
PTA asks internet users to register VPNs to avoid ban
PTA asks internet users to register VPNs to avoid
Action may be taken against customers using VPNs without permission.
Govt’s Covid-19 app sparks furore over security flaws
Govt’s Covid-19 app sparks furore over security flaws
The government’s Covid-19 Gov PK mobile application comes under criticism for alleged security flaws.
First consultation on CP rules questions regulation of fake news
First consultation on CP rules questions regulation of fake news
The meeting consulted on regulation of content related to blasphemy, child pornography, extremism, hate speech, character assassination and fake news.
Tech firms seek formal withdrawal of CP rules
Tech firms seek formal withdrawal of CP rules
Asia Internet Coalition encouraged PTA to ensure that any rules adhere to their parent legislation.
Govt begins consultation on online harm rules
Govt begins consultation on online harm rules
Human rights groups refuse to engage in review process until the rules are revoked.
Outage in Pakistan not from company’s end, says Twitter
Outage in Pakistan not from company’s end, says Twitter
Social networking site Twitter suspiciously becomes inaccessible to users in Pakistan for almost two hours.
Personal details of Tiger Force volunteers circulating online
Personal details of Tiger Force volunteers circulating online
Personal information, including CNIC and phone numbers, of thousands of volunteers is being shared on WhatsApp groups.
Over 5,000 people at Covid-19 risk tracked
Over 5,000 people at Covid-19 risk tracked
The individuals at risk of contracting Covid-19 from across the country have been identified by the government’s trace and track system.
Virus content against govt guidelines to be removed: Facebook
Virus content against govt guidelines to be removed: Facebook
Pakistan reports 42 virus-related posts to Facebook as the platform steps up efforts to moderate Covid content.
Inside Wikipedia's infodemic battle
Inside Wikipedia's infodemic battle
Wikipedia breaks five-year record with high traffic in pandemic, while editors battle misinformation and racial politics.
Pakistan's browsing trends during Covid pandemic
Pakistan's browsing trends during Covid pandemic
Amid social distancing and lockdowns, more Pakistanis are looking to connect on social media and video conferencing apps
Call for access to quality, affordable internet during outbreak
Call for access to quality, affordable internet during outbreak
Students in tribal areas demand internet access, rights groups ask govt to bridge digital divide
A guide to surviving the Covid-19 ‘infodemic’
A guide to surviving the Covid-19 ‘infodemic’
From desi totkas to fake news about the virus, here is how you can find accurate information online.
Internet usage goes up as life goes online
Internet usage goes up as life goes online
Internet usage in the country goes up by 15 per cent within a week of lockdown.
Govt starts cell phone tracking to alert people at virus risk
Govt starts cell phone tracking to alert people at virus risk
Pakistan turns to contact tracing to contain outbreak, rights activists wonder where the data will be stored
Pakistan’s digital influencers fight virus misinformation
Pakistan’s digital influencers fight virus misinformation
Amid viral falsehoods, some 200 influencers are assisting the government to keep the public well-informed.
Government to set up media wing to lead digital diplomacy
Government to set up media wing to lead digital diplomacy
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government has decided to set up a 23-member media team to devise and lead its digital strategy.
Virus closures make classes go digital in Pakistan
Virus closures make classes go digital in Pakistan
Covid-19 has left education at the mercy of online learning — a method that is mostly unfamiliar and untested in Pakistan.
Govt remains befuddled over how to deal with online harm
Govt remains befuddled over how to deal with online harm
Confusion reigns in the country over how to deal with harmful content on social media and invite firms to Pakistan.
Digital firms ask govt to rethink rules for online regulation
Digital firms ask govt to rethink rules for online regulation
Pakistan moves to regulate social media. Digital firms ask to govt to reconsider.
The furious case of Twitter ‘violations’
The furious case of Twitter ‘violations’
Journalists and activists are being locked out over old tweets. What’s up with Twitter’s moderation?
Is Twitter aiding India’s quest to silence Kashmiris?
Is Twitter aiding India’s quest to silence Kashmiris?
An analysis of Twitter’s opaque moderation on Kashmir conflict.
Kashmir blackout triggers online misinformation war
Kashmir blackout triggers online misinformation war
Over 30 pages related to the dispute locked to restrict edits on Wikipedia.
200 accounts suspended over Kashmir reported to Twitter
200 accounts suspended over Kashmir reported to Twitter
Twitter refutes charge of bias, says no one is above its rules.
Indian network behind disinfo campaigns exposed
Indian network behind disinfo campaigns exposed
EU DisinfoLab releases complete report, finding 265 ‘fake’ news outlets influencing EU, UN
The 'Digital Pakistan' challenge
The 'Digital Pakistan' challenge
It is 2020, and the government has a new resolution — the provision of ‘Roti, Kapra, Makan and Internet’.
PTA's content removal conundrum
PTA's content removal conundrum
The telecommunication authority’s regulation dragnet includes problems of transparency, arbitrary blocking.
Pakistan leads in censorship requests sent to Facebook
Pakistan leads in censorship requests sent to Facebook
Facebook’s transparency report shows the highest number of requests originated from Pakistan.
Pakistani journalists targeted with smear campaigns online
Pakistani journalists targeted with smear campaigns online
Coordinated hashtags with abusive content against journalists trend on Twitter.
Digital campaign meant to educate journalists: PTI
Digital campaign meant to educate journalists: PTI
A broadside against media linked critical coverage to potential “treason”.
Freelancers upset over PayPal refusal to operate in Pakistan
Freelancers upset over PayPal refusal to operate in Pakistan
Around 200,000 self-employed workers face a host of payment-related issues.
Explainer: Twitter's legal notices to users
Explainer: Twitter's legal notices to users
How does Twitter determine if content should be removed?
Threat to ban Twitter in Pakistan criticised
Threat to ban Twitter in Pakistan criticised
Twitter threatened with shutdown for not complying with government directives to block ‘objectionable content’ despite repeated requests.
Number of accounts reported to Twitter drops
Number of accounts reported to Twitter drops
PM’s focal person cites platform’s non-compliance for Pakistan’s decline in requests.
Election observers cast doubt on i-voting process
Election observers cast doubt on i-voting process
Election observers express scepticism about the online electoral system’s security, credibility and transparency.
Concerns over new govt plans to monitor online traffic
Concerns over new govt plans to monitor online traffic
Web system to measure traffic, record voice and call data for ‘national security’.
Facebook breach shows need for data privacy law
Facebook breach shows need for data privacy law
Authorities reminded of the pressing need for laws to protect private data of individuals.
Pakistan among states where Facebook curbed most content
Pakistan among states where Facebook curbed most content
Content restricted for violating local laws prohibiting blasphemy, anti-judiciary content, defamation.
Pakistan's social media conundrum as election looms
Pakistan's social media conundrum as election looms
Efforts to combat propaganda online are becoming increasingly difficult to manage.
Reality, reason and rumour in the age of WhatsApp
Reality, reason and rumour in the age of WhatsApp
WhatsApp is rife with fake news, disinformation and inflammatory messages.
Changing face of campaigns in internet-driven polls
Changing face of campaigns in internet-driven polls
Controlling voter perception now requires dominating online spaces.