Digital safety

Canada has introduced very important legislation to make social media platforms accountable for combating harmful content on the internet and for ensuring a safer digital space for all people in Canada. Seven major categories of online offences have been identified, including inciting extremism and violent terrorism through social media content.

Under the act tabled in the Canadian parliament on February 24, 2024, the Digital Safety Commission of Canada will be established. The commission will be authorized to ensure that social media platforms are transparent, responsible and accountable. It also aims to protect minors from the negative effects of social media, block access to unwanted indecent content within 24 hours, and keep records of social media activities. The Digital Safety Ombudsperson of Canada will be appointed on a five-year term. In this regard, necessary amendments to the Canadian Human Rights Act are also in process.

In my view, no one can deny the importance of social media in today's digital era, but unfortunately, the international community has for a long time been confused about the prevention of hateful content under the guise of freedom of expression. I remember that ten years ago in 2014, I appeared before the then-chief justice of Pakistan, Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, to protect the rights of non-Muslim minorities. I emphasized that anti-social extremist elements were carrying forward their hate agenda with the help of social media. After the Army Public School tragedy, I raised my voice for regulating social media in Pakistan

Seven years ago, in my column on these pages ('Regulating social media', June 2, 2017) I presented a detailed analysis that in the form of social media, extremists have such an influential weapon, which is targeting every sensible person who disagrees with their biased ideologies. "The situation in our country is quite sensitive. Every second anonymous website or social media account is actively involved in spreading one-sided propaganda and conspiracy theories."

Today, if we look at the global level, every civilized peace-loving person in the world is worried about the negative use of social media. Efforts are being made to formulate a plan of action at various levels. Curbing online hate crimes against immigrants is now emerging as a serious challenge in Europe. The Gaza conflict has once again ignited massive hatred against a religious community at the global level. In our neighbouring country, extremist elements are using various social media, including WhatsApp groups, to organize attacks against vulnerable minorities.

The UN mission, in its fact-finding report on the brutal atrocities against the vulnerable Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, highlighted: “Facebook has been a useful instrument for those seeking to spread hate.” However, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, in response to growing criticism, called for the need for global regulations to be implemented on all social media users at the international level.

Currently, in Pakistan too, social media is being used systematically to spread hatred against opponents and the use of foul language on the internet is increasing to a sad extent. A few days ago, Islamabad Police closed 462 social media accounts for promoting hatred and propaganda at a massive level. Reportedly, 1,060 accounts identified will also be closed soon.

Today, while the Western countries that are advocates of freedom of expression have become committed to dealing with the negative effects of social media in their societies, we should also focus on digital safety and curbing the harmful effects of social media; otherwise, it will destroy our social traditions and severe damage to our ideological boundaries as well.

Seven years ago, I urged the government to take necessary action for the opening of social media representative offices in Pakistan. Once again, I want to repeat my suggestion that news websites and social media operating in Pakistan should be required to register with the authorities and the government should consider linking social media use to biometrically verified mobile phone SIMs. Following in the footsteps of the Canadian parliament, there is also an urgent need for the newly-formed parliament of Pakistan to play a proactive role in addressing the social media threat.

The writer is a member of the National Assembly and patron-in-chief of the Pakistan Hindu Council.

He tweets/posts @RVankwani