The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has commenced the re-registration process for Virtual Private Network (VPN) service providers, with the objective of regulating the industry through a newly established class license system for data services.
Sources indicate that VPN service providers will be obligated to obtain class licenses from the PTA, with the government imposing a fee that ranges from Rs100,000 to Rs300,000 for each license.
According to sources, “VPN service providers will be registered locally through class licenses.” This initiative is anticipated to improve the monitoring and regulation of VPN services throughout the nation.
The new regulatory framework requires VPN providers to set up data centers within Pakistan and adhere to local data protection regulations. The PTA will possess the authority to access user data and browsing histories to ensure compliance with these regulations.
This re-registration initiative aims to bolster cybersecurity measures, enabling the PTA to monitor and respond to cyber threats with enhanced accuracy.
Prior to the implementation of this decision, stakeholder consultations were held, with the Pakistan Software Houses Association playing a significant role in advocating for the registration process.
