IN modern technology the usage of cyber data is growing with each passing day and so are the problems that come along with it. In Pakistan since at least 2014, the data bases have been illegally sold online. These data bases contain hundreds of thousands of records with names, CNIC numbers, home addresses and phone numbers etc.

The data is primarily used by mobile marketing companies to market their products. It is not clear how exactly the data is leaked, but it is speculated that it could be due to a combination of mobile service providers’ strong consumer data insecurity as well as the employees within the companies themselves leaking the data to those willing to purchase it.

The sources of selling data are websites, blogs and different platforms of social media. There are many public groups where the data including phone numbers data, call history, active numbers on CNIC, colour copies of CNIC and driving licence are being sold.

The authorities should take immediate action against this practice and warn the public especially netizens and avid smartphone users about the dangers that lurk.

Rashid Talani

Jacobabad

Published in Dawn, May 29th, 2019