PHOTO COURTESY: BYTES FORALL PAKISTAN
The Pakistan Internet Landscape Report 2018, authored by journalist Jahanzaib Haque, was published by human rights and advocacy organisation Bytes For All.
Pakistan's Internet Landscape 2018 - Annual publication by Bytes For All #Pakistan - Launching soon. Please stay tuned @bytesforall pic.twitter.com/E0dGAjyP4n
— Bytes for All, PK (@bytesforall) March 11, 2019
The findings of the report shed light on key topics including internet access, censorship and privacy, cybercrime and hacking, child porn, blasphemy, fake news, and e-commerce, among others.
#Pakistan's Internet Landscape 2018: @AishaFSarwari @marvisirmed @ZarrarKhuhro @jhaque_ on the Expert panel. pic.twitter.com/UkULYrKIqr
— Bytes for All, PK (@bytesforall) April 12, 2019
According to statement, the annual report notes that online developments across 2018 have seen a number of downward trends, with attempts to control the internet proving to be most troubling.
Following are the report's key findings:
-Overall internet penetration continues to increase. A total of 62 million 3G/4G subscribers now form 29.55% of penetration
-Cellular network suspensions have continued in the name of security
-The state has made some effort to improve governance through the internet with particular strides by law enforcement agencies
-Some strides were made to curb child pornography, with awareness raised and an increasing number of arrests carried out
-Surveillance of activists and journalists continues, resulting in intimidation and harassment
-Traditional media and associated journalists have found themselves to be the targets of intimidation, harassment, violence and even monetary losses, resulting in self-censorship across all media, including online
- Fake news is an ever-growing challenge in the country
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