Pakistan asks Facebook to link accounts with mobile numbers

Social network has also designated focal person to coordinate with PTA on objectionable material

Pakistan has asked Facebook to link opening of accounts on the social network with mobile numbers in attempt to overcome the issue of fake accounts, a Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) official has said.

“Facebook [recently] reiterated its commitment toward the removal of blasphemous and objectionable content and assured the authorities that they will improve the coordination and response time”, the official added.

“Mobile numbers are verified through biometric verification system in the country. Currently, Facebook accounts are being opened through an email. The issue of fake accounts could be overcome if all existing accounts are verified with phone numbers”.



Meanwhile, the social media giant has also designated a focal person to coordinate with PTA for prompt action against any objectionable material.

The PTA received more than 6,000 online complaints of which 350 had blasphemous content. These complaints were reviewed and all accounts posting blasphemous content were blocked, he said, adding that 12,977 URLs from where blasphemous content was posted, have been blocked so far.

The telecommunication authority has also established a "web analysis cell" where 25 personnel work solely on identifying unlawful content on the internet.

Since February 2017, 137 links to blasphemous content have been blocked by the Facebook administration for viewership in Pakistan.

Facebook has also been asked to help Law Enforcement Agencies in the country by providing them with requisite data.

In response, Facebook said it received about 1,000 requests in 2016 from Pakistan and about 70% of them have been complied with. The administration reiterated it will continue to support such requests.