ISLAMABAD – Pakistan government takes key steps over use of social media ingovernment offices over fear of cyber attacks by hostile agencies.
The federal government has issued directives to the provincial governmentsto ban the use of social networking apps, reportedlink *The News.*
Moreover, the Sindh government is said to have also taken measures in thisregard and is considering banning the use of WhatsApp and other socialnetworking applications by government servants.
A letter has been issued by the National Telecom and Information TechnologySecurity Board, Cabinet Division, Government of Pakistan, titled *Ban onuse of WhatsApp and likewise means for sharing of official letter andInformation*.
“It has been reported that hostile intelligence agencies have developedtechnical capabilities and means to gain access to sensitive informationstored in mobile phones of officials of government departments,institutions, and ministers in the country,” it reads.
“These spyware companies are using hacking softwares and applications suchas Chat Line and Pegasus malware on WhatsApp account of target mobilephones (IOS and Android) to gain access to sensitive information stored onmobile phones.
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The malware is capable to infect any mobile phone (IOS and Android) only bygenerating missed call on target WhatsApp number,” it warns.
“This Pegasus malware has infected approximately 1400 senior government andmilitary officials in twenty countries including Pakistan.
Hostile spyware companies such as Israel-based NSO Group have been sued byWhatsApp and Facebook in the US Court of San Francisco for violating bothUS and California laws as well as the WhatsApp Terms of Service,” theletter notes.
