The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) has issued the notification of amended Social Media Rules 2021. Named “Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight, and Safeguards) Rule 2021,” these laws expect social media corporations to comply with Pakistan’s laws.
As per social media rules 2021, every national or company will have the right to communicate and disseminate any online content as enshrined under Article 19 of the 1973 Constitution.
Moreover, any aggrieved citizen, Ministry, Division, associated administration, sub-ordinate service, provincial or regional department or office, law enforcement or intelligence agency, or a firm owned or managed by the state can register a complaint about blocking or removal of online content.
As per the Social Media Rules 2021, the Social Media Companies Must Issue Community Guidelines
Social media companies must issue community guidelines for access or usage of any online information system, which must manage their users not to host, display, upload, alter, publish, send, update or share any online content in breach of the nation’s laws.
The social media company will be expected to provide any information requested by any investigation administration. The data can be in decrypted, clear, and understandable format or plain version.
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Social media companies will be compelled to immediately block live streaming related to terrorism, hate speech, pornographic, violence, and endangering of national security.
Social Media Companies Are to Establish their Offices in Pakistan
According to social media rules 2021, the companies must establish their offices, appoint a compliance officer, and a complaint officer in the country within three months of the promulgation of these laws.
The compliance and grievance officers will be expected to resolve any problem or complaint registered by the authorities within seven days.
Social media corporations must comply with the country’s user data privacy and data localization.
Furthermore, as per social media rules 2021, social media companies must deploy suitable content moderation methods including Artificial Intelligence (AI) based content moderation systems and content moderators accustomed to the country’s laws.
Source: Pro Pakistani
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