Facebook, Google, others threaten to leave Pakistan over new rules

Team Udayavani, Nov 21, 2020, 2:58 PM IST

Asia Internet Coalition, representative of Google, Facebook and other firms, has warned the firms would leave Pakistan over its new rules.

Under the rules, social media firms shall provide investigating authorities with any data in a decrypted, readable and comprehensible format, Dawn reported.

Firms will have to remove or block unlawful content within 24 hours of being reported by authorities.

According to HT, Pakistan also wants the social media companies to have their offices in the country

However, The coalition said, “draconian data localization requirements will damage the ability of people to access a free and open internet and shut Pakistan’s digital economy off from the rest of the world.” It said the new rules will make it difficult for its members “to make their services available to Pakistani users and businesses.”