Pakistan Bans 'Immoral' Dating Apps Such As Tinder, Grindr; Sighs For 'Tharki Awaam' On Twitter
Pakistan blocked access to Tinder and several other dating apps to combat "immoral" and "indecent" content. This comes only days after regulators threatened to shut down YouTube for similar reasons, as per a report in AFP.
Pakistan blocked access to Tinder and several other dating apps to combat "immoral" and "indecent" content. This comes only days after regulators threatened to shut down YouTube for similar reasons, as per a report in AFP.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority or PTA said it barred users from accessing Tinder, Grindr, SayHi, Tagged and Skout. This was because these apps failed to "moderate... content in accordance" with the laws of Pakistan.
The PTA said the ban addressed the "negative effects of immoral/indecent content".
So basically if you want to date in Pakistan, you have to do it the traditional way, ask someone out face to face.
Shutterstock (Representation)
Shahzad Ahmad, director of digital rights group Bytes For All, slammed the PTA's "moral policing".
"If adults choose to be on an app, it is not for the state to dictate whether they should use it or not," Ahmad told AFP.
He described the ban as "a completely ridiculous move" that people would find ways to circumvent.
Shutterstock (Representation)
Tinder did not immediately return a request for comment.
The PTA said the apps could request to have their blocks lifted if they show they are "moderating the indecent/immoral content through meaningful engagement".
The regulator did not specify what it meant by that engagement.
Shutterstock (Representation)
Last week, the PTA asked YouTube to immediately block all videos they consider "objectionable" from being accessed in the country.
The demand was criticised by rights campaigners who fear creeping censorship and control of Pakistan's internet and printed media.
And in July, authorities issued a final warning to Chinese-owned social media app TikTok, ordering it to filter any obscene content.
The Muslim-majority country has several existing or proposed restrictions that target free speech, usually in the name of Islam or national security.
Needless to say, people were not too pleased with the decision. Some reactions were hilarious as Twitter went on the rampage:
Please open up tinder what is immoral in meeting new people and making friends clear up the justification
¡ª Ahmed Murad (@AhmedMu99127147) September 1, 2020
@PTAofficialpk you block those Applications 1% people use in Pakistan.
¡ª zain Kiyani (@zainKiyani6) September 1, 2020
Why you not block (Bigo,Live,ticktok,Like) I think u take monthly from those.
This last tweet is a joke.?
¡ª Sadia Sheikh (@iSadiaSheikh) September 1, 2020
What do u want them to fix in dating apps as per the local laws?? I would really love to know.???
Waiting for desi liberals to drag Madrassa child abuses cases into this. Thats the only card they have to use for virtue signalling. They think it somehow justifies all sort of kanjarkhana. I don't understand how that even works.
¡ª Hamza?? (@MZA_1999) September 1, 2020
1-Who is PTA fooling? PTA needs to stop the live near-naked stage shows, especially in Lhr. And, while at it, look to censor some of the vulgar content of the Pushto female dancers,on You-Tube etc. 2 And, yes, Shadi. com is another dating site for mostly married men
¡ª IsaD (@PakWoman_Vs_CIC) September 2, 2020
@PTAofficialpk PTA, wale Tinder py koie live streaming nahi hoti, Tinder py koie vulgarity nahi hoti, me 3 years sy use kar raha hu, Tinder stranger sy texting communicate karne k ek official app hai, jo k All word me use ho raha hai, Bas Pakistan me ban, Please unban Tinder ??
¡ª Shazaib Mughal (@ShazaibMughal13) September 1, 2020
PTA quickly becoming a laughing stock.
¡ª Shahaan (@Shahaan__) September 1, 2020
Tells us everything about our priorities as a nation
