Concerns are rising among Pakistani freelancers as reports emerge that Fiverr is suspending accounts due to ongoing internet issues in the country. Freelancers, who offer services to international clients, are particularly impacted by these recent disruptions.
Social media is abuzz with claims that Fiverr is blocking Pakistani user profiles because of slow internet speeds and frequent outages in the region. These disruptions are causing significant stress for the freelance community, which already struggles with unstable connectivity.
Freelancers are voicing their concerns in various Facebook groups, describing how inconsistent internet services and frequent social media app shutdowns are negatively affecting their business operations. One freelancer shared, “Clients are losing trust because these issues aren’t isolated—they occur frequently. The unpredictable internet connectivity has led to problems like inaccessible gigs on Fiverr.”
Another freelancer reported receiving a notification from Fiverr on February 8, indicating that their gig would be temporarily suspended due to the internet shutdown. “Slow internet speeds and outages, coupled with VPN use causing location issues, have been major problems for me. I’m worried about the future,” they said.
Fiverr’s response
When approached for clarification, Fiverr confirmed that temporary suspensions are a measure to protect freelancers’ profiles and address location discrepancies caused by internet issues. The platform stated that these measures are in place to maintain the integrity of freelancer accounts during widespread connectivity problems.
A Fiverr spokesperson explained, “Temporary suspensions are used to safeguard accounts when location problems arise due to internet disruptions. This is a standard practice to prevent potential issues.”
Economic impact
The broader economic implications of these internet disruptions are severe. In May 2023, Pakistan faced a major internet shutdown that resulted in significant financial losses. The telecom sector alone suffered losses of approximately PKR 2.46 billion within 72 hours, while the IT sector faced damages estimated at PKR 10 billion. These disruptions highlight the urgent need for a stable internet infrastructure.
