Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) noted on Tuesday media reports on the alleged availability of subscriber data online. The reporting of the reports said the authority that it neither has nor administers subscriber information that remains responsible for licensed operators.
The initial review shows that the reported data sets include family information, travel items, vehicle registrations and CNIC copies indicating aggregation from multiple external sources, not telecommunications operators, a news announcement said. PTA’s revisions have found no violations in the licensed sector.
Read: Sensitive data from thousands of Pakistanis sold online
In its ongoing crash on illegal content, PTA has blocked 1,372 locations, apps and social media sites involved in the sale or sharing of personal data. The Ministry of Interior has set up a study committee investigating the matter.
The Minister of the Interior immediately noticed the citizens’ data that was sold online, which resulted in rapid action from PTA and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).
PTA discovered that not only sites but also several mobile applications were involved in the illegal data trading. A specially composed seven-member NCCIA investigative team, led by additional director Mehmood-Ul-Hassan, has begun to analyze both sites and apps that allegedly facilitate the sale of sensitive personal information.
Sources revealed that investigators are investigating whether data theft occurred before 2023 or recently. Persons involved in selling data via digital platforms are now targeting arrest.
Authorities have identified the insulting sites and applications, and a decision has been made to ban them completely. Legal acts under the Law on the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (PECA) follow.
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NCCIA’s investigative team has asked all cellular companies to submit extensive items and be informed about data security protocols. Service providers insured full cooperation during the probe. Meanwhile, the team is also investigating other potential data slag sources.
The Federal Committee has been asked to conclude and submit recommendations to the Ministry of the Interior within 14 days.
Previously, it was reported that thousands of Pakistanis – including federal ministers and senior officials – are reportedly affected by a continuous violation of personal data now available for sale online.
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Data that are available for purchases includes Mobile SIM owners addresses, call logs, copies of national identity cards and abroad travel information. The registrations span a wide range of individuals, from federal ministers to PTA figures and extend across government levels.
Despite a similar warning issued by Express News on October 12 last year, the illegal trade in weak enforcement continues that does not originate. The authorities, including PTA and NCCIA, have been largely silent – despite insurance that insulting sites were closed.
According to the report, dozens of sites offer sensitive data at low prices – Mobile Location Data for RS500, detailed mobile items for RS2,000 and international travel information for RS5,000. Sources of intelligence warn that harmful actors could utilize such data to target victims at minimal costs.
