Freelancing platform Fiverr has marked several accounts in Pakistan as “unavailable” due to potential “internet disruptions,” according to workers on the site, while rights activists have expressed concern over the situation.
Recently, a group of internet service providers alleged that the government’s intensified monitoring of internet traffic has led to a significant nationwide slowdown in services. Users have speculated that these disruptions stem from a government-installed firewall aimed at monitoring user activity, although the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has denied that a firewall is the cause.
Last week, users encountered difficulties accessing social media platforms, and X (formerly Twitter) has been banned in the country for nearly six months due to “security concerns.”
Three Fiverr users confirmed to Dawn.com that they received notifications from the platform indicating their profiles had been made “unavailable” to clients. This action seems intended to prevent negative ratings due to inactivity caused by internet disruptions. However, a Fiverr user from Faisalabad mentioned she did not receive any such notification, suggesting the platform’s actions may be localized.
“Last week, I received a notification from Fiverr support stating that my gigs are unavailable to clients worldwide because they are aware of internet interruptions in Pakistan,” shared Sajid Hussain, a medical content writer from Punjab. He provided screenshots of an email from Fiverr dated August 1, which read: “We understand that there may be internet disruptions in your area that might make it harder to keep your routine going. To ensure unexpected order delays don’t affect your ratings, we’re temporarily setting your availability status and gig(s) as ‘unavailable.’”
The email clarified that this action would not negatively impact the freelancers’ ratings. Users not experiencing internet issues were directed to a guide on how to reactivate their availability.
Hussain, a doctor who works part-time on Fiverr, noted, “I know many friends and colleagues who are doctors but unemployed, relying on Fiverr for their livelihood.” While Fiverr reassured freelancers that their ratings wouldn’t be affected, Hussain claimed that recent internet interruptions have severely impacted connectivity, making it harder for freelancers to remain active on the platform.
Aiza Shahid, a student from Islamabad, also received a notification indicating her account status was marked as “unavailable” due to regional issues. “This sudden change has put me in a difficult position, as I depend on Fiverr not only for extra income but for essential financial support,” she lamented, adding that the income from Fiverr was crucial for covering her utility bills and education.
Another Fiverr user from Islamabad commented in a private Facebook group that receiving such notifications is an “automated measure by Fiverr during nationwide disruptions.” He stated that users can quickly switch their accounts back to available status and criticized the alarm over the situation as overblown.
On the other hand, Saba Arshad from Faisalabad reported that she had not received any notification on her Fiverr account.
“Out-of-Office Mode”: Fiverr Staff Response
In response to a user inquiry on Fiverr’s community platform, a staff member named Lena explained, “We understand that there may be internet disruptions. To ensure that unexpected order delays won’t hurt your seller ratings, we’ve set Pakistani sellers into out-of-office mode.” Lena assured users that their accounts remain operational and that they could revert their status to available at any time.
Rights Activists Highlight Issues of Unstable Internet and WhatsApp Disruptions
Rights activists have raised concerns about the reported “slow and unstable” internet access and difficulties in downloading media files on WhatsApp, emphasizing the negative impact on businesses and students who heavily rely on online connectivity.
Farieha Aziz, co-founder of the internet advocacy platform BoloBhi, stated on X that the situation reflects the “reality of slow and unstable internet.” She criticized the “downward spiral,” pointing out that significant funds are being allocated to network filtering and detrimental regulations in the digital space.
Lawyer Jibran Nasir urged media anchors to dedicate a show in the spirit of Independence Day to discuss the effects of ongoing internet restrictions on various sectors of society and the economy. He acknowledged the genuine dangers posed by fake news and misinformation but stressed the need to “rationalize the measures we take for our security concerns.”
Prominent social activist and lawyer Imaan Mazari-Hazir reported issues with downloading documents on WhatsApp, criticizing an advertisement for an IT city by the ruling PML-N displayed in New York’s Times Square.
Ammar Rashid, a public policy researcher and member of the Awami Workers Party, echoed this sentiment, calling out the advertisement’s “incredible audacity.” He added, “Meanwhile, millions trying to meet deadlines to scrape a living back home can barely download a PDF because the regime’s hobbled the internet to silence criticism.”
Wardah Noor, founder of the disaster relief organization xWave, shared a message from a student, expressing frustration over the internet issues. “Ma’am, the internet is not working at all here. Only text messages are being sent on WhatsApp. Neither voice notes play nor links open,” the message read. The student questioned how they could attend class under such circumstances.
In another post, Noor highlighted that “hundreds of our graduates are working with remote companies and earning in dollars to strengthen the Pakistani economy, but these recent internet outages and unannounced social media bans have disappointed us all.” She concluded by asserting, “No quality education can ever be accessible to the masses without the internet.”
