FIA Cybercrime Wing
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cybercrime Wing has recently been granted expanded authority to address offenses committed on social media platforms, as confirmed by a notification issued by the Ministry of Information Technology on Wednesday.
This development gives the FIA Cybercrime Wing the legal power to take action against crimes related to digital and social media platforms in Pakistan.
The notification also specifies that the rules established for the National Cybercrimes and Investigation Agency, which was formed in 2023, have been annulled.
The powers and responsibilities previously managed by the National Cybercrimes and Investigation Agency will now be transferred back to the FIA Cybercrime Wing.
This shift is part of the government’s efforts to consolidate authority over cybercrimes and streamline the country’s approach to handling issues related to digital crimes and online misconduct.
A key aspect of this move is the government’s decision to amend the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), a legislative measure aimed at curbing the spread of false information, fearmongering, and online hate speech.
The amended PECA now includes provisions for penalties such as imprisonment and fines for individuals who use social media to spread content that targets national institutions or individuals, or generates unnecessary fear among the public. Content that violates these guidelines will be subject to removal by authorities.
In addition to these amendments, the government is considering the establishment of a Digital Rights Protection Authority (DRPA), which would be empowered to block or remove specific social media content.
Under the new PECA amendment, the DRPA would be granted the authority to issue orders for the removal of content deemed harmful or offensive, particularly targeting law enforcement agencies, individuals, or any material that promotes hatred towards the state and its institutions.
This move aims to strengthen the government’s control over the digital landscape, particularly in addressing issues related to online security, misinformation, and harmful content, while ensuring that the digital rights of individuals are protected.
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