PTA clarifies position on Internet monitoring: DPI services to end in 2023

In Pakistan, telecom operators have purchased Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) services as a tool to block unauthorized content on the Internet. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) recently announced that internet monitoring services were officially discontinued in mid-2023 to address concerns about their purpose and usage.

The PTA issued the statement in response to recent media coverage of the use of DPI technology in Pakistan. DPI technology, which enables the monitoring, analysis and filtering of internet traffic, has raised global questions about privacy, surveillance and the potential for abuse. The PTA has emphasized its commitment to the responsible use of technology, specifically stating that it prevents “abuses of technology that conflict with human rights by ensuring the lawful use of technology within the applicable legal framework.”

PTA clarifies position on Internet monitoring: DPI services to end in 2023

Recent reports have also highlighted the involvement of Sandvine, a Canadian company known for developing technology that monitors and manages internet traffic. Sandvine has previously been subject to US sanctions over concerns that its products could be used for “mass web monitoring and censorship” with implications for human rights abuses, particularly against activists and dissidents. However, the US recently removed Sandvine from its banned list, reviving the debate about the use of its technology in various countries.

The controversy surrounding Sandvine in Pakistan dates back to 2019. During that year, a Pakistani government minister told the National Assembly that the PTA had asked Sandvine and another firm to supply equipment designed to monitor “grey traffic” — the unauthorized or illegal routing of voice calls, often to avoid paying the relevant taxes and fees. The PTA explained that the use of DPI technology aims to limit gray traffic and other types of illegal or harmful content, such as pornographic or blasphemous websites, within the country’s regulatory framework.

A recent statement by the PTA also sought to clear up misconceptions about the purpose and application of DPI technology in Pakistan. The PTA said that the telecommunications operators legally received DPI services under contracts, in accordance with the country’s regulatory requirements. The Services are primarily aimed at controlling and limiting access to unauthorized or harmful online content. The PTA reiterated that while Deep Packet Inspection technology may be controversial due to its ability to monitor Internet traffic in detail, it used the services within Pakistan’s legal framework and stopped using them in mid-2023.

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The announcement comes amid a wide-ranging debate around digital surveillance, censorship and data privacy around the world. Activists and digital rights organizations often raise concerns about DPI technology because of its potential to violate user privacy and limit freedom of expression online. There is also an ongoing conversation in Pakistan about the implications of Internet monitoring technologies for personal liberties and the role of the state in regulating online content.

The PTA’s emphasis on the “lawful use” of technology underscores its stance against overreach and illegal surveillance, although balancing content regulation and digital rights remains a complex issue. As Internet access expands and digital ecosystems grow, Pakistan, like many other countries, faces challenges in managing online content responsibly without compromising users’ rights.

This recent clarification by the PTA may provide some reassurance to those concerned about the implications of DPI and similar technologies in Pakistan. However, with the rise of digital connectivity, it remains important for regulators, telecommunications companies and technology providers to maintain transparency and a commitment to ethical practices to address public concerns about privacy and freedom of expression in the digital age.