Pakistani authorities have blocked 139 online platforms accused of selling citizens’ personal information.
The move comes amid growing alarm over massive data leaks that exposed the private details of thousands of people, including government officials.
Following media reports that personal data was being sold online, the Ministry of Interior directed the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to identify and act against the platforms involved. The NCCIA investigation found 139 websites and accounts trading or advertising citizens’ personal data.
According to official findings, these included 75 Facebook accounts, 18 mobile apps, 17 websites, 12 Telegram channels, 10 TikTok accounts, two YouTube channels, and one WhatsApp group. The NCCIA forwarded the details to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), which has since blocked most of them.
The investigation revealed that the leaked information included national ID numbers, full names, family details, mobile numbers, home addresses, and email IDs. In some cases, sensitive data such as call logs, SMS records, SIM registration details, and mobile phone location histories were also available. Some platforms even listed citizens’ travel histories, government job titles, and official email addresses for sale.
Experts say blocking these platforms may limit public access, but it does not ensure the complete removal of the leaked data, which often resurfaces on new accounts or platforms. Data-selling networks tend to migrate quickly to other apps, especially encrypted ones like Telegram, where tracking is difficult.
Investigators believe that in many cases, insiders within telecom or government data systems may be involved in selling citizens’ information for profit.
The NCCIA has now moved to the next phase of its operation, filing criminal cases and initiating arrests of those running the illegal platforms. Officials say the blocked websites and accounts are being monitored to prevent reactivation.
However, cybersecurity specialists warn that the problem will persist unless the networks responsible are dismantled and those behind them are prosecuted. They also call for stronger international cooperation to remove platforms hosting Pakistani citizens’ data abroad.
While the latest crackdown marks an important step, experts stress that it must be followed by long-term reforms to strengthen data protection, improve accountability, and restore public confidence in Pakistan’s digital security systems.
