Pakistan's data protection, e-safety laws worries tech giants

Pakistan's data protection, e-safety laws worries tech giants

Government approved bills on e-safety and data protection in July.
"Laws will undermine govt policy on investor confidence," letter says.
It adds proposed law will "severely cripple" digital economy's growth.
The Asia Internet Coalition, a global association representing global tech giants, has shared its reservations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif regarding the recently passed data protection and e-safety bills in Pakistan, along with other similar legislation.

The coalition said it fears Pakistan might become an outlier on the global stage due to these laws after its federal cabinet approved the Personal Data Protection Bill 2023 and the E-Safety Bill 2023 on July 27.

However, the bills have received criticism from digital rights activists, civil society members, individuals, and organisations related to business, investment, and technology, both nationally and internationally.

The AIC's letter also highlighted concerns about the proposed changes to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act of 2016 (PECA) and the online content-blocking system.

"We want to express our deep concern about the potential tabling of the Personal Data Protection Bill (PDPB), E-Safety Authority Bill and upcoming amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) and the Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards) Rules (RBUOC)," the letter read.

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