ISLAMABAD – WhatsApp and other social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, have been restored following the completion of a trial for Pakistan’s social media firewall.
According to a local news channel, sources from the Interior Ministry reported that the trial effectively blocked the downloading of images, voice messages, and videos on these platforms. The firewall also caused disruptions in mobile signals and internet services, as it was tested over mobile data.
Read More: The government has issued a cyber alert regarding critical vulnerabilities in VMware Workstation
Following the successful trial, the government plans to proceed with purchasing the firewall and has issued a tender for its acquisition. The new firewall is expected to use deep packet inspection (DPI) and IP-level blocking to prevent controversial material and trace the IP addresses of content origins. This technology aims to identify and address messages that contradict government policies by tracking their source and dissemination.
