Under section 37 of prevention of electronic crimes act 2016, the Federal government has set out the rules and regulations 2020 for the removal of if needed, blocking of the offensive content or any online content going beyond the boundaries of law.
The official notification regarding the matter read: “In the exercise of the powers conferred by section 51 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (XL of 2016) read with section 37 thereof, the Federal Government is pleased to approve the Rules for Removal and Blocking of Unlawful online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards) Rules, 2020 under section 37 of ‘the, Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 earlier approved as Citizens Protection (Against Online Harm) Rules, 2020”.
Under section 37 and keeping in view these new rules, the Pakistan telecommunication authority (PTA) has an authority to block any content that they find beyond the law or crossing these rules. All social media platforms will have to keep a close check on content moderation and develop safety guidelines. Other than this, the social media platform with more than a million users will have to get registered with PTA.
