PTA blocks over 1.06 million URLs over ‘objectionable’ content

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has blocked more than 1.065 million URLs containing allegedly objectionable content on social media platforms, according to official documents.

The documents show that 563 URLs related to objectionable content are currently under review, while 9,528 URLs have been rejected. More than 1.065 million URLs in the same category have been blocked.

According to the data, 179,285 URLs related to terrorism were referred for blocking. Of these, 141,897 URLs were blocked, while 23,241 remain under review.

The documents further show that 136,891 URLs were processed under the category of content deemed contrary to the sanctity of Islam, while 125,427 URLs were processed under the category concerning content against Pakistan’s security and defence.

The PTA said 74,059 URLs related to content against Pakistan’s security and defence had been blocked. In the category of sectarian and hate speech, 76,526 URLs were processed.

Under the proxy category, 10,319 URLs were processed, of which 10,318 were blocked.

The documents also revealed that 44,200 URLs were processed under the categories of defamation and impersonation, with 17,356 of them blocked.

Overall, the PTA has blocked 1,542,800 URLs across various categories. A further 76,874 URLs are under review, while 106,629 URLs have been rejected, according to the documents.