Cabinet approves bill seeking registration of websites, YouTube channels

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet on Wednesday approved the “E-Safety Authority Bill 2023”, seeking the registration of websites and YouTube channels.

The proposed bill was put forward by the Ministry of Information Technology, aiming to regulate websites and safeguard the data of citizens. 

The proposed authority, once approved by the parliament, will issue licences to YouTube channels, and websites.

The authority will also monitor activities of the websites and YouTube channels, and penalise violators. 

The proposed authority will also oversee the TV channels and newspaper websites. The power of monitoring websites will be taken back from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), and will be transferred to the proposed E-Safety Authority.

The proposed authority will ensure the protection of the users’ data on websites of all types of online services, online purchases, company-provided guidelines and social interactions in Pakistan.

It will also establish a comprehensive framework to ensure the secure storage of users’ data and prevent its unauthorised usage.

Read more: Pakistan third in world for most internet restrictions

Pakistan has ranked third in the world for the highest number of internet restrictions in 2023, according to a report by Netherlands-based VPN provider Surfshark.

Iran imposed the highest number of internet restrictions with 14 recorded cases during the first half of 2023. India followed with nine cases, and Pakistan with three.

Surfshark tracks government-imposed internet restrictions across the world with its Internet Shutdown Tracker tool.