PTA grapples with surge in controversial content on social media: Report

WEB DESK: The spread of controversial content and fake news on social media platforms has emerged as a significant challenge for Pakistan’s Telecommunication Authority (PTA), as per a recent document.

The document highlights that PTA is receiving approximately 350 complaints daily about social media content. Acting on PTA’s requests, over 1.2 million URLs have been blocked so far. However, decisions on 20 per cent of the complaints forwarded by the PTA remain pending.

A major concern underscored in the document is the fact that posts from social media companies originate outside the country, complicating oversight. These platforms operate based on their community guidelines, which sometimes might not align with local regulations as well as sentiments.

The response of social media companies to content involving blasphemy, hate speech, and sectarianism is reportedly slow, according to the same document. This sluggish response is attributed to a lack of awareness on the part of the companies about such material.

Material that could potentially harm someone’s reputation is another area where social media company responses appear inadequate. Additionally, the proliferation of fake news on social platforms is highlighted as another challenge for the PTA, as per the document.

Lastly, the document mentions a lack of awareness among citizens regarding the responsible use of social media.