The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has dismissed reports regarding the implementation of a centralised Domain Name System (DNS) and slowing down the internet through such means.
“It is clarified that the PTA has only implemented an automation of blocking of unlawful content as mandated to the authority under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) Section 37,” a statement issued by the authority said.
“The blocking of illegal content is already being done, however to improve the effectiveness of the same, an automation process through domain name resolution at ISP level has been implemented under the policy directives of the government of Pakistan. This has been done in consultation and extensive deliberation with the Internet Service Providers (ISP) of Pakistan.
This recent development has no effect on increasing the cost of internet services, no impact on slowing down of internet nor has any implications on privacy of the citizens whatsoever, as wrongly portrayed in some media reports,” it added.
The authority further said that In view of the clarification, all speculations related to the process should be put to rest.
DNS is the hierarchical and decentralised naming system used to identify computers or other devices like mobile phones and tablets reachable through the internet.
