The government has announced that cellular mobile operators in Pakistan are strictly prohibited from sharing consumer data with third parties. This was stated by the Minister-in-Charge of the Cabinet Division in a written reply submitted to the National Assembly, reaffirming the government’s stance on data privacy and user protection within the telecommunications sector. According to the statement, operators are bound by confidentiality clauses outlined in their licenses and regulations, which safeguard customer information and restrict its disclosure under all circumstances except those permitted by law.
The Minister explained that under Clauses 7.7.1 and 7.7.2 of the Long Distance and International (LDI) and Local Loop Licenses, operators can only share user data in specific cases such as debt recovery, inter-operator service provisioning, or compliance with legal obligations. Even in such situations, the data shared must be limited to the minimum necessary for the purpose, and customer consent must be explicitly obtained beforehand. This consent, the Minister emphasized, must be informed—customers must fully understand what information is being shared, why it is required, and with whom it will be shared. Any disclosure beyond these defined parameters would constitute a clear violation of license terms and consumer protection laws, making the operator liable for regulatory action.
Reinforcing these safeguards, the Minister also referred to Regulation 16 of the Telecom Consumers Protection Regulations, 2009, which requires telecom companies to maintain strict confidentiality of user data. Furthermore, Clause 10.1 of the Third Party Service Provider License emphasizes consumer protection by mandating that licensees implement an effective complaint-handling mechanism and adopt measures to prevent fraud, privacy breaches, and delays in service. This regulatory framework reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that data handling practices within Pakistan’s telecom industry remain transparent, lawful, and centered on user trust.
In response to the rising number of fraudulent communications, PTA has intensified efforts to protect consumers from scams and impersonation attempts. Over 1.065 billion awareness messages have been sent out across mobile networks, warning users about fraudulent calls and SMS. To further enhance public vigilance, special ringback tones initiated by the State Bank of Pakistan and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan have been introduced, delivering anti-fraud messages whenever users make or receive calls. PTA has also acted against masked Universal Access Numbers (UANs) used by fraudsters pretending to represent legitimate institutions, blocking them at international gateways to curb cross-border scams.
To support consumers facing fraudulent activity, PTA has established an online Complaint Management System (CMS) that includes a dedicated category for reporting scam communications. This system enables users to submit complaints easily and receive timely redressal, promoting accountability within the sector. By combining legislative enforcement, regulatory monitoring, and consumer awareness initiatives, Pakistan aims to create a safer telecom environment where user privacy and data security remain paramount.
Follow the SPIN IDG WhatsApp Channel for updates across the Smart Pakistan Insights Network covering all of Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.
