KARACHI: Panellists in an online discussion on ‘Cybercrime: A Digital Threat’ on Monday looked into various kinds of cybercrimes such as stolen identities, selling of personal data, stalking, etc, which are fast becoming a global threat, and how to stay safe and secure online, especially in Pakistan.

Organised by Ziauddin University (ZU), the panellist included varsity’s vice chancellor Prof Dr Syed Irfan Hyder, Executive Director of Digital Rights Foundation Nighat Dad and the head of IT security at the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) Muhammed Qasim.

Dr Hyder said that it felt like everyone was in a prison of smartphones, which they were quite addicted to.

“The prison exploits human weaknesses. And we have ourselves given it permission to do this. Our information, personal records, data collecting, and transactions are all examples of vital information that should be safeguarded and yet there are things such as identity theft, phishing and hacking happening here all the time. But these fraudulent actions may be prevented with data protection, which is on our own control,” he said.

“Being unable to leave our phones or computers is a human weakness now and there are companies and people out there who are manipulating and exploiting this weakness,” he added.

Nighat Dad of Digital Rights Foundation said that people were being watched, but they cannot see who is watching them.

“Social media platforms that don’t cover digital threats though they are collecting data. There are not just government organisations like the National Database and Registration Authority [NADRA] that are collecting mass data, others are doing it also,” she said.

“Technology is a tool to enable. So we should not hold technology accountable. It is the mindset that has found this tool to misuse. This mindset is encouraged when rule of law is not strong,” she said.

“Everyone was online during the Covid-19 lockdowns. Technology was used a lot. Technology has its uses and disadvantages. The problem with a country like ours is that we have no data protection laws. The people here don’t even bother to think that what an application is asking them may be forwarded or misused. But we now have a data protection draft law with a good framework,” she said.

“Our Constitution already gives us the right to privacy. So it is our right to demand online protection from the government. There have been breaches in the Nadra databank; there have been telecommunication company breaches and riding company app breaches. Users don’t know how much of their data was breached and what to do about it,” she said.

“It is the responsibility of the companies to take care of their clients’ data. The new law will hold them accountable and also see how to take action. It will see how authorities facilitate common people. It is a complicated and tricky law. It will give a framework. But first it needs to be passed and implemented,” she said.

Muhammed Qasim of NBP also said that people were being watched, monitored and cracked. “We have digital footprints all over. And data is as valuable as oil these days,” he said.

“Yes, the state may be responsible for breach of data, but we are also responsible. Remember, when there was only the television around, our parents used to not allow us more than one or two hours of screen time? Now there is no one telling us that we are not to sit before the computer or our phone screen for so long,” he reminded.

“So awareness is the key here. Even Mark Zuckerberg covers his computer and phone camera with tape. There are people who don’t even know they are being hacked. Here people like to barge in uninvited because they can. But taking permission is important. Awareness is also needed. And being aware you need to step up for precautionary methods. Yes, you,” he said, adding that people visit all kinds of sites and they download all kinds of apps not knowing what kind of malware they also brought in.

About collection of personal data in banking, he said that breaches are unlikely there. “You go to a bank branch where there is a security guard, no one is allowed to look over your shoulder when you are at the cash counter, etc.

It is the same with online banking as there are certain security measures in place there. But the bank is not responsible for what you have on your phone, if you have passwords in your cache and how you have compromised your phone,” he concluded.

Published in Dawn, February 23rd, 2022