Sonia Magsi
Managing privacy on Facebook is the same as to refrain ourselves from the company of unknown people living in the same hostel room. Facebook giant is the largest social media network used in Pakistan that holds on personal information of the users but pledges to keep it exclusive and accommodates digital rooms to communicate with the people and share ideas and memories at all. Flash back to the previous version of FB Application, it had been difficult to install privacy tools in the specific countries. Today, this application has helped people by providing almost every kind of privacy shortcut so that the user may
control activities, manage personal data and experience a safe and secure online environment. Unfortunately, mostly some adult users and government officials confront online violence challenges e.g bullying, browbeat, harassment and blackmailing from fake and bogus accounts on Facebook particularly in Pakistan. Because, those fake accounts steal photos and personal information of the victim that he or she shares publicly with non-friends. In contradiction, Facebook strengthened its security and privacy tools by introducing additional security 'Profile Lock' feature in only specific
countries not in Pakistan. The feature 'Profile Lock' helps users to enjoy powerful security amidst sharing photos and videos with recognized friends only. This specific additional security feature provides a blue badge on account and completely locks the account of the user and shows limited view only with bio and profile picture. Even, Pakistan and other Muslim majority countries need this digital feature more
than western countries owing to the religious and cultural phenomenon. But, like PayPal is unavailable in Pakistan, Profile lock feature is also unavailable in Pakistan. I urge the Government of Pakistan and concerned authorities of Technology, PTA, and internet censorship to look over such advanced and useful tools and ask providers why not in Pakistan only? Why is Pakistan excluded from such advanced facilities in the region? Why have PayPal and Facebook closed the doors of Pakistan to access mentioned and other digital tools ? At least Facebook updated features and tools should be opened for Pakistan
due to the usage of this internet application on a large scale.
