The government has ruled out any misuse of the proposed amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (Peca), assuring that there will be multiple forums to address any potential abuse and that the law will be further amended if necessary.
Prime Minister’s Coordinator Rana Ihsaan Afzal emphasized that the law would not be misused and that if any issues arise, there are various channels available for rectification. He also discussed the creation of a new authority, the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority (SMPRA), which would have the power to remove or block online content deemed harmful to public safety.
The proposed amendments also include a reduction in the jail term for disseminating false information and the establishment of new bodies like the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) and the Social Media Protection Tribunal. The changes are aimed at addressing misinformation and enhancing the ability of authorities to act swiftly.
Afzal defended the amendments, stating that the issue of social media misuse was a serious problem that affects many individuals, and emphasized the importance of updating the laws to deal with the challenges posed by modern technology, including artificial intelligence.
