Facebook turns down Pakistan’s request to link accounts with mobile numbers

The government had requested Facebook to link accounts with mobile numbers to overcome the issue of fake accounts

Facebook has declined Pakistan’s request to pair mobile numbers with user’s account, a move that the government argue could help overcome the issue of fake accounts on the social network.

Responding to an email by VOA regarding the social media giant's reaction to the request made by the Pakistan government, Facebook spokesperson Christine Chen said the company had declined the request in order to protect the rights of its users.



Earlier, Pakistan had asked Facebook to link the opening of accounts on the social network with mobile numbers in attempt to overcome the issue of fake accounts. The request came after efforts from the social network to counter and remove sacrilegious content from its platform.

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) argued that mobile numbers in the country were verified through biometric verification system while Facebook accounts could be opened simply through an email. The issue of fake accounts could then be overcome if all existing accounts are verified with phone numbers.



Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali had also met Facebook Vice President Joel Kaplan to discuss steps and actions to take in order to remove the content that is illegal in Pakistan.

Facebook, on its part, had reiterated its commitment to keep the platform safe and promote values that are in congruence with its community standards and showed its commitment to remove fake accounts, explicit, hateful and provocative material that incites violence and terrorism.