The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has been directed by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to block several live-streaming platforms. This initiative is taken due to concerns over immoral content and excessive outflow of US dollars.
The SBP found that a significant amount of foreign exchange (FX) was being remitted abroad by Pakistani individuals through certain social media platforms.
The SBP’s assessment showed that these social media platforms mainly included live-streaming channels like Bigo Live, Mico, StreamKar, and others.
These apps are being used to create and share immoral content and engage in virtual dating and gambling.
The SBP has directed the PTA to block URLs and social media applications promoting such activities. It advised them to review the content on these websites in line with relevant social media guidelines and regulatory frameworks.
The PTA should decide whether to block such applications and platforms to prevent the spread of immoral content and activities. This will help to preserve the country’s foreign exchange reserves, which amounted to a total of $8.93 million remitted over the last two years.
