PROTECTING ONLINE PRIVACY IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Right to online privacy is one of the most pressing issues in recent times. Constitution of Pakistan protects and promote right to privacy of individuals online as well as offline in country. The Prevention of Electronic Crime Act 2016 (PECA-2016) is one of the laws which was passed recently and has direct influence on right to online privacy in the country. This study critically comprehends PECA-2016 with regard to right to online privacy in Pakistan. Under present study doctrinal legal research method is adopted. Doctrinal method is adopted to ascertain, describe, and analyze the attitude of Pakistan towards the protection of privacy generally and online privacy more specifically. This study finds out that there are several provisions in the PECA-2016 which adversely affect online privacy in the country. It is concluded that some of the provisions of the PECA-2016 should be improved or repealed to protect and promote right to online privacy of people in the country.