Media watchdog raises data privacy concerns over Google-Pakistan deal

ISLAMABAD: In an open letter to Google and the Pakistani government, media watchdog Freedom Network has questioned the safeguards in the tech giant’s partnership that aim to bolster the country’s digital economy while avoiding backdoor surveillance and unrestricted access to citizens’ personal data. The watchdog welcomed the signing of memoranda of understanding and agreements between the company and the government, but expressed concerns about the lack of transparency regarding the details of their agreements.

Freedom Network demanded to know what specific terms were agreed upon and whether the government or Google would publish all memoranda, contracts, or arrangements. The watchdog also sought information on undisclosed commitments regarding user data, content, metadata, and government databases. They questioned under what circumstances Pakistani authorities could request information about Google users and whether every request would require valid legal processes and judicial oversight.

The media watchdog asked if Google would reject overly broad or vague requests that conflict with fundamental rights. They emphasized the need for protection against government access to journalists’ Gmail, Google Drive, photos, YouTube accounts, and search-related information. Freedom Network urged Google to commit to not removing content solely based on government requests and to assess blocking or removal requests under transparent legal standards, offering users notice and an opportunity to challenge decisions where legally possible.

The watchdog also expressed worry about the storage of Pakistani citizens’ data, as the country is developing a national data-governance framework that emphasizes data sovereignty, minimum disclosure, and citizens’ right to know who accessed their information. They asked Google about the location of Pakistani users’ data—whether it would be stored in Pakistan, overseas, or a combination of both—and emphasized that there should be no informal or undocumented data-sharing arrangements between Google and the Pakistani government.

The media watchdog questioned who would independently audit Google’s compliance with privacy and human-rights safeguards in Pakistan, stating that the answer should not solely rest with the government.