Blanket Ban on VPN in Pakistan after Twitter (X) Banned in Pakistan

 

News Circulating about Blanket Ban of VPN after Twitter (X) Banned in Pakistan

The Government of Pakistan is considered to put a Blanket Ban on the use of Virtual Private Networks VPNs in Pakistan. This VPN ban will have serious consequences in many aspects of Pakistan society. Let's try to find out more about the VPN Ban in Pakistan.

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What is the Blanket Ban?

The Blanket Ban means the absolute restriction of any type of material by any regulating authority. Blanket Bans are implemented to control specific kinds of situations under particular criteria.

Why are the VPNs used?

VPN is the abbreviated form of Virtual Private Network. VPN is the process of creating protected network connections while using a public network, therefore masking your digital identity. VPN is used to protect your online data while accessing sensitive information. Generally, people use VPNs to get access to blocked content data in certain regions.

Why is the Twitter (X) banned in Pakistan?

The Social Media platform X previously known as Twitter was restricted completely on February 17, 2024, after receiving backlash of rigged elections on the 8th February 2024. Earlier all the mobile networks remained suspended on the Election Day of 8th February. A Twitter (X) ban has now been prolonged to more than two weeks & expected to be continued.

Increased VPN users after Twitter (X) Ban

In Pakistan, the traffic to VPN services has increased many-fold after the Twitter (X) ban according to multiple source reports. Due to the multiplied VPN usage, the cause of the X ban did not accomplish the target goal which compelled the authority to put a blanket ban at last.

Concerns about Proposed VPN Ban

After the news of the proposed VPN ban, the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) showed concerns about its devastating impacts, particularly on the economy & prestige of the technology sector. The VPN ban will affect those businesses which depend on dynamic IP addresses for their work. This VPN ban discourages both foreign & local investment resulting in difficulty in achieving the government's $15 billion IT export target. This ban will affect the actions of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) to improve the ease of doing business. The banking sector will have difficulties in International transactions resulting in many economic challenges.

Suggested Measures Instead of VPN Ban

Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) gives suggestions to control the security situation along with the uninterrupted working of the IT sector. The first measure should be the formation of a working group of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) & IT industry to address all security issues. An alternative approach should be adopted for monitoring digital media without influencing businesses to rely on whitelisted IPs. Another recommendation includes effective login tracking procedures by PTA for scrutinizing VPN usage.

Concluding Remarks about the VPN Ban

The Blanket Ban on VPN usage is not considered an appropriate solution to the problem of regulating security concerns. The VPN ban in Pakistan will worsen the deteriorating economic conditions, particularly impacting the evolving IT industry.

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