Media watchdog Freedom Network has raised questions about data privacy and digital rights following Google’s recent agreements and partnership with the Government of Pakistan. In an open letter addressed to Google and the government, the Islamabad-based organisation asked what safeguards are in place to ensure that the cooperation supports Pakistan’s digital economy without creating opportunities for surveillance, censorship or unrestricted access to citizens’ personal information.
Freedom Network welcomed Google’s growing presence in Pakistan, including the opening of its first local office and the signing of memoranda of understanding and other agreements with the government. The government says the partnership is aimed at expanding digital skills, artificial intelligence, IT exports and Pakistan’s wider digital economy.
However, the watchdog expressed concern that the details of the agreements have not been made fully public. It asked Google and the government whether all MoUs, contracts and other arrangements would be disclosed and, if some provisions remain confidential, what legal basis would be used to keep them private.
Freedom Network also sought clarification about whether the agreements contain any commitments relating to access to users’ data, online content, metadata or government databases. It asked under what circumstances Pakistani authorities could request information about Google users and whether such requests would require proper legal procedures and judicial oversight.
The organisation also highlighted concerns about journalists and the protection of confidential sources. It asked whether the agreements include clear safeguards against government access to journalists’ Gmail accounts, Google Drive files, photos, YouTube accounts, search-related information and other data that could potentially expose their sources.
On content moderation, Freedom Network called for government requests to block or remove online material to be handled under transparent legal standards. It also asked for users to be notified and given an opportunity to challenge such decisions wherever legally possible, rather than having content removed solely because a government agency has made a request.
Another issue raised by the watchdog concerns where Pakistani users’ data will be stored. Freedom Network asked whether the information would remain in Pakistan, be stored overseas or be kept in both locations. It also called for there to be no informal or undocumented data-sharing arrangements between Google and the government.
Freedom Network further questioned who would independently monitor Google’s compliance with privacy and human-rights safeguards in Pakistan, stressing that oversight should not depend solely on the government. The organisation’s questions come as Pakistan continues to develop its broader national digital and data-governance framework.
