Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Hafeez-ur-Rehman has clarified that no Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have been blocked, nor will they be in the future.
Speaking at the launch of the PTA’s Annual Report 2024, Chairman Hafeez-ur-Rehman reiterated that while the authority has the capability to block VPNs, it has not done so and has no plans to do so. He emphasized that in today’s world, attempts to conceal information are futile.
Regarding internet shutdowns for national security reasons, he acknowledged that the PTA does not have an answer. Chairman Hafeez-ur-Rehman stated that questions concerning national security should be directed to policymakers.
Recently, the PTA has reported over 1000 fake IDs and nearly 40 hacked accounts to Meta this year. These fake accounts included people impersonating government officials, politicians, and citizens.
Out of the total 37 hacked accounts, 27 of them included Facebook accounts and the rest were WhatsApp users. These accounts were reported to Meta for restoration.
While the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) does not keep detailed records of past hacking complaints, it clarified that this is because users often report such incidents directly to social media platforms. Meta, for example, encourages this direct reporting to ensure effective communication and resolution.
The PTA has identified social engineering scams, data breaches, and the use of unsecured public Wi-Fi as the main causes of these security issues. Other contributing factors include malware, weak passwords, the lack of two-factor authentication (2FA), and the use of free virtual private networks (VPNs).