Personal Data Protection Bill PDPB supposedly seeks to protect users . The eSafety Bill was also given principle approval along with the PPDB . The bill revives aspirations for a super regulator which was attempted previously for OTT platforms but defeated at the Senate standing committee level .
It creates another authority which is essentially the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority Pemra and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority PTA merged into one but for all things digital . This bill actually repeals Section which gives the governmentPTA unfettered powers to block access or remove speech not only on the internet but transmitted through any device from Peca .
Ironically the eSafety bill claims to foster and promote safe online Social Network Platforms and promote online safety and prevent online harm . The only input this deserves is for this proposal to be shelved indefinitely. Ironically, the e safety bill is for eCensorship.
It claims to promote online social media platforms and promotes online safety. Never heard that before. Oh wait wait remember The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act Peca. The fruits of we must protect women from harassment and minors from harm are visible to all by now as ruses to carry out the actual objective of such laws to target and repress further.
The fruit of the laws to protect women and minors are visible by now are visible . The law is not just a privacy risk. It is also untenable given how the digital ecosystem is set up. And this is not a privacy. And there is no alternative at this scale.
And the lack of choice is not an alternative to the law. And it is not the law . The government has no choice. It has no alternative to a lack of local infrastructure or a cost issue.
