8723 fake social media accounts removed, FIA tells NA body

ISLAMABAD: Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officials said on Monday that 8,723 fake accounts on social media platforms were removed so far, ARY News reported.

The intelligence agency officials were briefing to a session of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information Technology in Islamabad today.

It was told that the FIA cybercrime wing had received overall 29,577 complaints regarding social media of which 9,822 related to fake accounts.

15,433 complaints pertain to the Facebook and 6067 for Twitter, FIA officials said.

During the session, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) legislator Naz Baloch criticised authorities, saying that many fake social media pages were running on her name.  She raised questions over miseries of other people if the authorities failed to control and shut fake social media accounts of a lawmaker.

Read More: FIA to collar people spreading fake news on social media

The NA body was apprised that 114 persons were currently performing duties at FIA cybercrime cell, whereas, the appointment of 400 more persons in the cell would be finalised in the near future.

The session was also attended by officials of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). They said that the Facebook administration’s response to complaints was good instead of Twitter.

On February 15, The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had announced to launch a crackdown on social media users propagating false information

According to FIA officials, the action will be carried out against people using fake accounts to spread false information. They said complaints were also received regarding the hacking of accounts of government officials.

The freedom of expression will not be targeted, but no one will be allowed to blackmail anyone under this pretext.