ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet has approved two new bills to regulate social media and online media sites in the country. The government believes regulators like the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) and Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) have failed.
E-Safety and Personal Data Protection Bills 2023 are new.
The E-Safety Bill 2023 proposes a new regulatory agency to punish violators of digital media platforms.
This bill proposes a separate regulating body for web-based channels and news websites. If a web-based channel or online media outlet airs or publishes defamatory content, this regulatory can penalise it.
The Personal Data Protection Bill 2023 will regulate the collection, processing, use, and disclosure of personal data and establish and make provisions for offences related to violating individuals’ data privacy rights by collecting, obtaining, or processing personal data.
Personal data includes sensitive or critical data that directly or indirectly identifies a data subject.
The proposed bill restricts personal data collection, processing, and disclosure to legal requirements.
The bill requires the federal government to create the NCPDP of Pakistan within six months.
Think tanks opposes the bills
Digital rights organisations and advocacy think tanks oppose both proposals.
On Wednesday, internet advocacy group Bolo Bhi said that “legislation prepared in secrecy. As well as passed in haste disregarding input and clear reservations, serves no protective purpose. But reeks of nefarious designs to further curb the rights and liberties of citizens” and that “these bills must not be passed.”
“If moved in the National Assembly of Pakistan, [both bills] should be deferred to a standing committee for further deliberations, which should be open and transparent,” Bolo Bhi added.
“Wrong for a coalition government to push through far-reaching digital related legislation hurriedly [and] in [an] opaque manner in its last days,” tweeted PPP’s Farhatullah Babar. “Not including coalition partners, let alone all stakeholders, is deeply disturbing”.
“Pakistan’s Personal Data Protection Bill 2023 must not be passed in haste or we will end up with another PECA,” tweeted journalist, digital rights, and civic responsibility campaigner Farieha Aziz. Rights and industry groups have worries. Over time, the ministry received comments, but serious difficulties persist.”
The Cabinet Committee for Disposal of Legislative Cases (CCLC) will then table the measures in Parliament.
