HYDERABAD: Discus-sing transformative impact of Internet, leading to a global village paradigm yet ushering in a surge of online crimes transcending international borders, speakers at a seminar emphasised the need for framing common international laws to prevent cybercrimes and cyberattacks.

They said that there was freedom of expression on social media, but it was a crime to use hate speech against anyone or disturb someone’s privacy on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram and other social networking sites.

They were speaking at a seminar titled the “Global Challenges of Cybercrime” organised by Sindh University’s (SU) Pakistan Study Centre (PSC) on its premises here the other day.

SU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mohammad Siddique Kalhoro talked about critical need for unified international laws to combat cybercrimes, pointing out that social media platforms like Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram and others offered avenues for expression. He said that after a revolution in the Internet world, era of Artificial Intelligence (AI) had begun and realising the importance of AI, the SU started BS, MPhil and PhD programmes in the discipline, which were running successfully.

Former FIA director general Dr Sanaullah Abbasi reiterated the importance of protecting individuals’ rights online, emphasising global consensus on safeguarding privacy and dignity on social media platforms.

He said that international cooperation in law enforcement was needed to counter the rising tide of cyber threats. Legitimate use of Internet was allowed under laws, therefore, it was important to ensure protection of people’s rights while using Internet, he said.

Dr Abbasi said that privacy and self-respect of any person must be protected on social media. Freedom of expression could not be restricted, but it was important to refrain from writing or speaking offensive language or making hate speech on the Internet, he said.

He said that international cooperation between different countries was necessary in the era of globalisation for which agencies investigating cybercrimes should have access to Google, X, Instagram and other social media platforms to get required data.

Many a time various platforms of social media did not provide required data to Pakistani investigating institutions due to which it became difficult to reach criminals committing cybercrimes.

Published in Dawn, May 12th, 2024