Get ready to register your YouTube channels, websites, and other online presence. The federal cabinet gave initial approval to the e-safety bill 2023. This new law will affect digital rights, e-commerce, and the country’s digital economy.
The E-Safety Bill 2023 aims to stop and prevent online crimes like cyberbullying, online harassment, and blackmail. To make this happen, the cabinet approved the creation of a regulatory authority called ‘The E-Safety Authority.’
What Powers Will Be Given to the E-Safety Authority?
This authority will register and watch over websites, web channels, YouTube channels, and media houses’ websites. The goal is to protect the rights of citizens, businesses, and public and private institutions from online harassment and blackmail.
The authority will have the power to block and impose fines on websites that spread false news. The same authority will also grant advertisements to registered websites, web channels, and YouTube channels that meet the government policy.
Currently, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) can watch over online content and enforce laws. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) deals with cybercrime cases.
The new E-Safety Authority will take over these powers from the PTA and FIA. They will do the front-end monitoring of all websites, quickly addressing violations and giving penalties.
Concerns About the E-Safety Bill 2023 & The E-Safety Authority
1. Potential censorship: The authority’s power to block websites may lead to censorship, limiting access to information and freedom of speech.
2. Lack of transparency: The criteria for registering websites and granting advertisements might lack transparency.
3. Overreach: The authority’s broad monitoring scope could result in excessive surveillance, compromising users’ privacy rights.
4. Political influence: The government’s advertisement policy could allow favoring certain websites, leading to biased content promotion.
5. Misuse of power: The authority’s ability to impose fines might be misused to suppress dissent or target unpopular views.
6. Impact on digital economy: Stricter regulations could hinder small business growth and innovation on digital platforms.
7. Limited checks and balances: Insufficient oversight may result in potential abuse of power, with no proper accountability mechanisms.
8. Chilling effect: Fear of penalties may deter legitimate websites from expressing diverse opinions, stifling open discourse.
9. Competing interests: Balancing cybersecurity and individual rights might prove challenging, leading to possible conflicts in enforcement. 10. Bureaucratic inefficiencies: Delays in addressing violations could result from the authority handling many websites and channels.
