Intensified fight against cyber-crime threatens free expression

Reporters Without Borders is concerned about the impact on free expression of an interior ministry announcement on 12 July that sending “indecent, provocative and ill-motivated” stories and messages by email or SMS will be regarded as an offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison under the Cyber Crime Act (CCA). “This announcement is vaguely-worded,” Reporters Without Borders said. “We urge the government to clarify what it means by ‘ill-motivated’. The fight against terrorism must not restrict freedom of expression.” The interior ministry said recently-intercepted emails and text messages had tried “to malign the political leadership and security forces engaged in a military operation” and that the government had therefore decided to launch a campaign against the circulation of “ill-motivated and concocted” reports by “proscribed organisations” and others. A Cyber Crime Cell at the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has been ordered to block or trace such emails and text messages and to check all Internet Service Providers on a daily basis. FIA director-general Tariq Khosa has been empowered to monitor the content of all such messages. Under this new interpretation of the CCA, violators face up to 14 years in prison and confiscation of their property. Pakistanis living abroad will also be punishable under the act.