Govt Bans Mobile Operators from Sharing User Data
The Government of Pakistan has formally restricted cellular mobile operators from sharing consumer data with any third parties, reinforcing national data privacy protections and tightening the framework around digital information security.
According to a written statement submitted to the National Assembly by the Minister-in-Charge of the Cabinet Division, telecom operators are legally bound by confidentiality clauses under their licenses and regulatory obligations, prohibiting the disclosure of customer information without authorization.
The minister cited Clauses 7.7.1 and 7.7.2 of the Long Distance and International (LDI) and Local Loop Licenses, which clearly specify that consumer data cannot be shared except under narrowly defined circumstances. These exceptions include debt collection, inter-operator service provisioning, legal requirements, or situations where explicit and informed consent is provided by the customer. Even in such cases, only the minimum necessary information may be shared.
In addition, Regulation 16 of the Telecom Consumers Protection Regulations (2009) mandates that operators maintain the highest standards of confidentiality regarding consumer data. The framework also extends to Clause 10.1 of the Third Party Service Provider License, which emphasizes consumer protection by requiring licensees to operate effective complaint-handling systems and shield customers from fraud, privacy violations, and service delays.
The government’s statement made it clear that any unauthorized data sharing constitutes a direct violation of telecom license terms and national privacy laws. Mobile operators have been warned to act responsibly and ensure all data-handling practices strictly adhere to the legal provisions designed to safeguard users’ personal information.
This move follows rising public concern over fraudulent communications and data misuse. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has intensified its countermeasures, launching nationwide awareness campaigns and technical safeguards. Over 1.065 billion messages have been sent to consumers, warning them about scam calls and fake SMS schemes.
To further combat digital fraud, the PTA has collaborated with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) to introduce special ringback tones on mobile networks that inform users about potential scams.
In addition, the authority has blocked several masked Universal Access Numbers (UANs) used by cybercriminals pretending to represent financial institutions. An online Complaint Management System (CMS) has also been launched, allowing citizens to conveniently report suspicious activities and receive timely responses.
By enforcing stricter privacy protocols and empowering users with awareness tools, the government aims to strengthen Pakistan’s digital ecosystem while ensuring consumer trust remains at the core of telecom operations.
