Pakistan’s Launch of Messaging App ‘Beep’ Raises Citizen Concerns: Here’s Why

3 minutes of reading Last updated: August 01, 2024 | 10:52 AM IST

Pakistan is set to launch its own “indigenously developed” messaging platform “Beep Pakistan”, initially intended for government employees, with plans for a wider public rollout, according to a report Al-JazeeraThe initiative comes in response to growing concerns about WhatsApp’s effectiveness in the country, which some users attribute to possible restrictions on internet access.

Beep Pakistan messaging app is currently being used in the Ministry of IT.

Company representatives emphasize the app’s solid security and data protection, which makes it a safer alternative to foreign platforms.

Beep Pakistan will be launched in 45 days for public

Minister of State for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima Khwaja was quoted in the report as saying that the app is robust enough to eventually be made available to the general public if required. Haque, who chairs the National Assembly’s standing committee on IT, noted that the government plans to make the app available to all its employees within the next 45 days.

While it was previously dubbed the “WhatsApp killer,” the government now emphasizes that Beep Pakistan is not meant to compete with existing platforms. Instead, it is being presented as a tool to protect sensitive information and enhance digital sovereignty.

The push for a domestic messaging app follows a December 2019 incident in which Pakistani officials were attacked by Pegasus spyware, raising concerns about WhatsApp’s security. While the government denies plans to ban WhatsApp, Beep Pakistan’s promotion indicates a preference for a homegrown solution.

The previous Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government announced the launch of the app in 2021.

Amid disruptions and bans across social media platforms, Pakistan announced the development of the Beep app in August 2023. Government officials are reportedly already using the app for internal communication. The development officially began on July 27.

Why are Pakistani citizens concerned about the new communication platform?

According to the report Times of IndiaCritics see the app as part of a broader government strategy to control online discourse and restrict access to information. Recent disruptions at WhatsApp, along with the rise of Beep Pakistan, have raised concerns about the government’s commitment to a free and open internet. Digital rights advocates suspect that the country’s testing and implementation of an internet firewall aimed at stifling dissent and curtailing free speech may be contributing to the disruptions.

In recent months, users have been filing complaints with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) about internet throttling and reporting difficulties in accessing multimedia content on WhatsApp such as images, documents and voice notes.

As per Beep Pakistan’s privacy policy as reported by Al-JazeeraThe application will collect various information about the device used to access it, such as location, connection details, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, and other data.

The privacy policy further states that this information will be stored on local servers of the National Telecom Corporation (NTC), the official provider of telecommunications and information and communication technologies to the Government of Pakistan.

The privacy policy assures that personal information will not be shared, rented or sold to other parties and will be stored solely on NTC’s local servers. However, it also notes that the app would be legally obligated to disclose relevant personal information if required by law.

First published: August 01, 2024 | 10:52 AM IST