Islamabad: The new amendments to social media laws have come into effect following President Asif Ali Zardari’s assent. These amendments introduce new definitions, establish regulatory and investigative bodies, and impose stricter penalties for spreading “false” information.
Under the new amendments, the punishment for disseminating “fake information” online has been reduced to three years, along with a fine of up to Rs2 million.
The amendments propose the establishment of the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority (SMPRA), the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), and the Social Media Protection Tribunal.
Furthermore, any individual “aggrieved by fake and false information” can approach the authority to request the removal or blocking of such content. The authority must issue an order within 24 hours of receiving the request.
The amendments also empower the authority to require social media platforms to register in a prescribed manner, form, and upon payment of a fee.
Additionally, a Social Media Complaint Council is to be constituted to receive and process complaints from aggrieved parties regarding violations of cybercrime laws.
The establishment of Social Media Protection Tribunals has also been proposed, which will resolve cases within 90 days, while appeals against their decisions can be filed in the Supreme Court within 60 days.
