I write on platform manipulation, internet censorship, mis/disinformation, digital politics & digitalisation.
My investigative work has been published in Coda Story, Herald Magazine, Dawn’s EOS magazine, as part of Dawn’s special projects and Media Matters for Democracy’s Sheconnect series on women and tech.
Pakistan pushes Silicon Valley for more censorship
Pakistan pushes Silicon Valley for more censorship
Pakistan’s Tinder ban signals coming showdowns with YouTube and Twitter
Life in PTI's social media bubble
Life in PTI's social media bubble
EOS cover story on PTI’s use of digital media for building its and its leader Imran Khan’s brand.
How powerful is Facebook’s ‘Supreme Court’ for speech?
How powerful is Facebook’s ‘Supreme Court’ for speech?
While it has set a new model for content management, to what extent will it shape Facebook’s policies?
Privacy concerns over Pakistan's use of Covid-19 tech
Privacy concerns over Pakistan's use of Covid-19 tech
Using cellphone tracking and mobile apps to limit coronavirus, the government is surveilling citizens.
Inside Pakistan's hashtag mills
Inside Pakistan's hashtag mills
Influence networks game hashtags, revealing the ease with which Twitter trends can be manipulated.
How social media has become a war zone for competing narratives
How social media has become a war zone for competing narratives
Exploring digital disinformation in Pakistan and its key players.
One way or the other, the future is digital
One way or the other, the future is digital
A comprehensive overview of the technological ecosystem of Pakistan, its challenges and future.
The mechanics of silencing online dissent
The mechanics of silencing online dissent
Journalists are feeling the brunt of the state, its bad laws, and online censorship.
Pakistan moves to install ‘web monitoring system’
Pakistan moves to install ‘web monitoring system’
Exclusive: Controversial firm Sandvine to monitor internet traffic in Pakistan.
Pakistan's online clampdown
Pakistan's online clampdown
Murky procedures and guidelines mean that the regulation can easily tip over into censorship of ideas and political dissent
Parenting in the anti-vaxxer age
Parenting in the anti-vaxxer age
What is the impact of anti-polio posts on Facebook, videos on YouTube or rumours on Whatsapp on vaccination choices.
How political parties manipulate cyberspace for electioneering
How political parties manipulate cyberspace for electioneering
The rise of digital politics ahead of national elections.
How different are we from the partition generation?
How different are we from the partition generation?
70 years on, how is social media shaping the partition rhetoric?
Sexual harassment in workplaces in Pakistan
Sexual harassment in workplaces in Pakistan
The post #MeToo scenario: sexual harassment, abuse and discrimination in Pakistan’s workplaces is pervasive, mostly unreported and ignored.
The politics of hashtag activism
The politics of hashtag activism
A spectre is haunting Pakistan — the spectre of social media. Social media is far more influential in politics than it’s often given credit for.