Lack of information hampers fight against cybercrime

Social media platforms are often unwilling to hand over data to local authorities

LAHORE: Due to a lack of offices of several social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Whatsapp, more than 25,000 cases of fraud have remained suspended for the past few years.

As a result, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cybercrime Wing has faced many difficulties. Countless cases had to be closed due to an inability to obtain evidence from the relevant companies.

When contacted by The Express Tribune, Lahore Cybercrime Wing Deputy Director Chaudhry Sarfraz said that officials are working hard to resolve cases using the available resources. He stated that cybercrime cases were increasing day by day. The fact that social media companies are unwilling to cooperate is a major obstacle in resolving the complaints. “Inquiries are delayed indefinitely due to this,” he said. Despite this, officials are working tirelessly to resolve the issues reported on a daily basis, he added.

However, neither the previous nor the current regime managed to sign agreements with these social media platforms. Consequently, the number of cybercrime incidents have increased manifold across the country including major cities such as Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan and Rawalpindi.

In order to crack down on these incidents, the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 was passed. In addition, separate cybercrime wings were also formed in major cities including Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Islamabad.

According to the FIA Cybercrime Wing records, the majority of these scams are carried out by creating fake accounts on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp. The FIA Cybercrime Wing Lahore receives a minimum of 10 to 15 applications each day. Majority of these applications involve cases where criminals lure unsuspecting people into their trap on the pretence of offering a job at a multinational company and initiating less-than-innocent friendships.

However, when authorities knock on the doors of these social media platforms, they are often unwilling to hand over information. When they do agree, the process can take up to several months.

FIA sources claim that only the administrations of Facebook and Instagram offer their assistance, which is minimal at best. However, the Twitter, YouTube and Whatsapp administration clearly refuse. When the companies are unwilling to provide any evidence, no action can be taken, they say. This is the main reason why more than 25,000 cases across the country are still pending while hundreds of others have been closed due to a lack of evidence, they state.

Inquiries can only move forward once the evidence is obtained, they add. They express that the reason behind this may lie in the past and present governments’ apathy when it comes to signing agreements with social media platforms. Companies do not provide any answers as they are not bound to do so, they explain. On the other hand, countries such as Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives and India have agreements with social media companies. In comparison, Pakistan only has the cybercrime act, they maintain.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 23^rd, 2019.