Government’s New VPN Registration Policy
Starting November 30, Pakistan will implement a restrictive policy on Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), limiting access primarily to businesses and freelancers. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has confirmed that VPN registration will be available only to commercial entities, such as companies, freelancers, and embassies. Ordinary internet users, who rely on VPNs for privacy or accessing restricted content, will not be able to register.
Ministry of Interior’s Directive
On November 15, the Ministry of Interior issued a directive to the PTA, urging the registration of VPNs by businesses before the November 30 deadline. The directive emphasized blocking “illegal VPNs” in the country, citing concerns that VPNs are being misused by terrorists and individuals accessing illegal content, such as pornography and blasphemous material.
Limited Registration Scope
The PTA’s registration platform only caters to certain entities, including banks, call centers, and embassies, who must provide documents such as company certificates or freelancer authentication. Individuals using VPNs for personal privacy or to bypass content restrictions will likely lose access. The PTA has stated that the primary reason for registration is to track illegal activities and identify VPN users accessing prohibited content.
Growing Censorship Fuels VPN Use
VPN usage in Pakistan has surged due to increasing censorship and frequent internet outages, including the blocking of social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and opposition party websites. The government has also been criticized for blocking websites and imposing restrictions on communication platforms, leading to a higher reliance on VPNs.
Experts Warn of Risks
VPN experts, including Simon Migliano, head of Top10VPN, warn that Pakistan’s move to restrict VPNs is reminiscent of China’s model, where only government-approved VPNs are allowed. Migliano suggests that the government’s requirement for a static IP address will render most VPN services ineffective, as they typically use dynamic IPs. He also highlighted concerns over privacy risks associated with government-approved VPNs, which could be forced to share traffic logs and other sensitive data with authorities.
Impact on Privacy and Internet Freedom
While the government’s actions aim to curb the use of VPNs for illegal purposes, experts fear that the policy could significantly harm online privacy and freedom. The control over VPN usage could lead to government surveillance of internet activity, and over time, potentially restrict access to information and limit citizens’ ability to express themselves online freely.
Uncertainty Over Full VPN Ban
While Pakistan is pushing to restrict VPNs, experts believe that it may not be possible to fully block all VPN traffic, as providers with sufficient resources can develop new technologies to bypass government censorship. In countries like China, some VPN services continue to operate by adapting to evolving blocking techniques.
This ongoing situation raises concerns about the future of internet freedom in Pakistan and the balance between security measures and personal privacy.
