New PECA Amendment Puts Internet Providers Directly in the Firing Line

The government has proposed significant changes to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, aimed at tightening regulations on social media platforms and service providers. The amendment seeks to remove the legal protection that currently shields internet companies from action if they fail to block or remove objectionable online content. PML-N Senator presented the Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill 2025 in the Senate, a move officials describe as critical to ensuring a safer online environment in Pakistan. The bill specifically addresses Section 38 of PECA, which currently protects service providers from direct legal liability. The amendment proposes ending this protection if companies ignore content removal orders issued by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) or other relevant institutions. Under the new draft, service providers such as internet, mobile, telephone, web, payment, and data storage or processing companies will be legally bound to comply with official orders to block or remove harmful content. The proposal makes it mandatory for these platforms to act promptly against any objectionable material flagged by authorities. Failure to comply with such directives will invite direct legal action not only against companies but also against individual officers deemed responsible. This represents a major shift in accountability, as officers of the companies could now face penalties for non-compliance, closing a gap in the existing law that critics argue gave platforms undue protection.