Pakistanis access explicit content via VPNs 2 million times daily: PTA

At least two million attempts are made by Pakistanis regularly to access blocked explicit content via unregistered virtual private networks (VPNs), according to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).

A source in PTA revealed that citizen uses VPNs to bypass the restrictions imposed by the authorities and “get access to immoral and erotic content that has been banned by the authorities.”

“At least 110,083 of websites containing blasphemy content have been blocked by the PTA,” said sources, adding, “As many as 844,800 erotic websites have also been shut off in Pakistan within a few days,” the sources in PTA revealed.

Moreover, the PTA also receives individual complaints regarding immoral content regularly, as per sources.

The widespread use of unregistered VPNs to bypass the restrictions is not only increasing security risks but also concerns about unauthorised access to illegal content, which prompted the officials to block unregistered VPNs and move towards whitelisting.

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) began VPN registration in 2010, and approximately 20,500 VPNs of 1,422 companies have been registered so far.

In September, the PTA requested that IT companies, software houses, freelancers, banks, and other businesses register their VPNS to ensure uninterrupted internet services in case of any disruptions.

Earlier, the chairperson of the Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan, Shahzad Arshad, told The News in September that the government is attempting to block non-registered VPNs.