28 November 2024
A new attempt to manage virtual private network (VPN) use is under way in Pakistan, where the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has extended a deadline for unregistered VPN owners to give their details until the end of November.
The mandatory registration requirement is due to government concern over the misuse of unauthorised VPNs for illicit activities, including bypassing internet restrictions and accessing prohibited content, accessing sensitive data and facilitating criminal or terrorist activities.
A nationwide crackdown on unregistered VPNs will begin on 1 December. This may include VPN blocking, which has already been successfully trialled once and will be trialled again before any full-scale shutdown.
The PTA said that the authority has streamlined the VPN registration process for entities such as software houses, call centres, banks, embassies and freelancers; all of these can now easily register their VPNs online through the PTA’s official website. Registration involves completing an online form and providing basic details, including, for freelancers, documentation verifying their project or company association. Applicants must also provide the IP address for VPN connectivity.
