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In a bid to control the spread of undesirable content and regulate social media platforms, the federal government has initiated the installation of a national firewall system. This firewall aims to scrutinize data from various internet protocol addresses, pinpoint sources of propaganda material, and restrict the visibility of such content, as reported by a local English Daily.
Key features of the system include keyword filtering to detect and obscure objectionable content, thus preventing its exposure to external users. The firewall’s monitoring scope extends to popular platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and X. Additionally, measures are being devised to manage Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), which have been utilized by users to circumvent restrictions imposed on X.
While the government had previously attempted to block X, the persistence of users accessing it via VPNs prompted a reevaluation of strategies. Initial restrictions on VPNs drew criticism from the corporate sector, leading authorities to temporarily halt enforcement.
The blockade on X has resulted in a significant decline in its usage, dropping from 4.5 million to 2.4 million users in Pakistan. This reduction suggests a gradual alignment with the government’s directives to curb the dissemination of controversial content and discussions on sensitive topics.
In April, the Interior Ministry submitted a comprehensive report to the Islamabad High Court detailing the rationale behind X’s blockage in Pakistan. The report highlighted X’s non-registration in Pakistan and non-compliance with local laws as primary factors contributing to the decision. The ministry reiterated that the action to block X was not an infringement on fundamental rights but rather a necessary measure to ensure regulatory compliance.
What is a firewall?
A firewall is a network security device or software that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. Its primary function is to establish a barrier between a trusted internal network and untrusted external networks, such as the Internet, to prevent unauthorized access, data breaches, malware infections, and other cyber threats.
Firewalls can be implemented in various forms, including hardware appliances, software applications, or as a combination of both. They analyze data packets as they pass through the network, examining factors such as source and destination IP addresses, port numbers, and packet contents to determine whether to allow or block the traffic.
Firewalls can be configured to filter traffic based on specific criteria, such as blocking access to certain websites or applications, restricting access to sensitive data, and enforcing security policies within an organization.