Pakistan says using Web Monitoring System to block online content

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is using a controversial Web Monitoring System (WMS) to block online applications and websites in Pakistan, according to a written response to parliament this week by the minister in charge of the cabinet division which has administrative control over PTA.
Millions of Pakistanis have faced a mysterious months-long Internet slowdown that has drawn backlash from activists and business leaders who believe the state is testing a firewall, a security system that monitors network traffic but can also be used to control online spaces. Pakistan has blamed the slowdown on damaged underwater cables.
Nearly half of the country’s population has faced problems in using and accessing social media platforms, including the popular WhatsApp. Pakistan has 110 million Internet users, and up to 40 percent slower Internet speeds have affected nearly half the country’s 241 million population.
In a written response to a question by Shahida Rehmani, a lawmaker from Sindh, the minister in-charge of the cabinet division, who is technically the prime minister, admitted to using a Web Monitoring System, which utilizes peep packet inspection technology to detect and block VPN traffic and allows the government to monitor all Internet traffic entering or leaving Pakistan.
“PTA has also deployed a Web Monitoring System (WMS) for Internet content management within its technical limits, through which applications/websites requiring blocking within Pakistan are blocked,” the written response to parliament dated Aug. 26 and seen by Arab News said.
“PTA so far has blocked 2,369 URLs and 183 Mobile Application involved in exposing personal data/identity information.”
The response said Clause 37 (1) of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 mandated that PTA block unlawful online content, especially if seen “necessary in the interest of Defense of Pakistan, Glory of Islam, Contempt of Court, Decency and Morality, Defamation, Child Pornography, Modesty of Natural Person, Dignity of Natural Person, Public Order, Hate Speech, Incitement to an Offense etc.”
The minister said despite geo-blocking at the gateway level, objectionable content could still be accessed through VPN.
“VPN users, who are bypassing the gateway through their private traffic, are also bypassing the state policy regarding banned content,” the response said. “PTA is registering VPN since December 2010, under the directive issued on 02 December 2010 (Annex-A), which was issued in accordance with Monitoring and Reconciliation of Telephonic Traffic (MRTT) Regulation 2010 clause.
“VPN is also used by legitimate businesses such as software houses, call center and foreign missions/embassies etc. for secure management of their private networks. Hence, to facilitate these legitimate users, while preventing their misuse, PTA has issued a public notice for registration of VPNs.”
The minister said various courts of law had also directed PTA to take all possible measures to ensure effective blocking of unlawful content.
“Based on complaints received from stakeholder organizations and the general public, PTA till date has blocked a total of 469 mobile 26 applications (435 Android and 34 Apple) related to various categories including applications “against the glory of Islam, indecent/immoral content and fraudulent activities.”
IT minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja has repeatedly said the government was not behind the Internet slowdown, blaming it on a surge in VPN use. She has also rejected that the planned firewall will be used for censorship purposes.
The Internet challenges come as Pakistan’s military — the country’s most powerful institution — says it is battling so-called “digital terrorism.” Independent analysts say the main target of the digital disruption is the party of jailed opposition leader Imran Khan, still wildly popular and boosted by a young, tech-savvy voter base.

Pakistan says using Web Monitoring System to block online content