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Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Pakistan begins blocking VPNs amid growing internet censorship concerns

PTA’s Firewall trial blocks over 20 VPNs; citizens and businesses voice concerns over connectivity and freedom

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has kicked off blocking VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) in Pakistan, sparking concerns among citizens and internet users.

The trial began on Sunday between 4 PM and 10 PM in which two dozen VPNs were blocked. Unregistered VPNs are blocked temporarily through the firewall. Pakistani media claims it was a trial test made by the Pakistan government, checking the firewall system.

According to The Nation, it was the first noticeable impact on internet connectivity in Pakistan by the government’s firewall. Both premium and locally accessed VPNs experienced outages, according to a government official familiar with the situation. An insider noted, “The trial blockage of over 20 VPNs was successful, although our current infrastructure struggles to manage the load,” highlighting challenges in maintaining such controls.

Earlier, the VPN restrictions were lifted after businesses and corporations requested that VPNs be essential for their businesses for swift and uninterrupted communication. However, the government has encouraged IT businesses, freelancers, software houses, and other related businesses to get their IPs registered for uninterrupted VPN access. Since 2020, the government has registered over 20,000 VPNs and IP addresses for software houses, call centers, and other organizations.

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Blocking VPN was the first experiment carried out by the government through the newly installed firewall. Usage of VPN surged in Pakistan to access the blocked social media platform of X (formerly known as Twitter) in Pakistan. The government has stated it will not lift the ban on X until it formally registers in Pakistan.

People expressed concerns about X when they faced problems in accessing the platform through VPNs.

A government official claimed that the country’s existing infrastructure faced challenges in sustaining such controls without affecting overall internet performance. Common citizens fear by blocking VPNs, government is tightening censorship and increasing its control on information flow.