Online Surveillance

EU Proposes 13+ Age Restriction for Social Media, Sparks Privacy Concerns

The European Union is prioritizing the mental and physical health of minors by addressing the risks posed by social media, building on existing age limits for data processing and calls from member states and international partners for stricter regulations. This initiative, spearheaded by Ursula von der Leyen, suggests parental oversight and gradual, supervised exposure to technology for younger children, with the potential for broader age restrictions on other online services. The aim is to implement phased access based on age ranges, recognizing the critical nature of childhood and the need for protective measures, much like the adoption of road safety regulations.

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Pakistani Religious Body Declares VPNs Un-Islamic, Sparking Censorship Debate

Pakistan’s Council of Islamic Ideology declared using VPNs to access blocked content as un-Islamic, citing the facilitation of immoral activities and the spread of disinformation. Simultaneously, the government, citing terrorism and pornography concerns, is implementing a nationwide firewall and requiring VPN registration, a move critics see as increasing surveillance and limiting free speech. This registration process demands personal information from users, raising privacy concerns. The government denies attempting to throttle the internet, but experts suggest the new system enhances state monitoring capabilities. The push for greater online control coincides with increased criticism of the military’s alleged political interference.

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