Pakistanis are outraged with PTA for blocking Tinder

On Tuesday, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) blocked access to Tinder and several other dating apps in a bid to control “immoral” and “indecent” content.

In a statement, PTA said it barred users from accessing Tinder, Grindr, SayHi, Tagged and Skout after the social networking apps failed to “moderate… content in accordance” with Pakistan’s laws.

The PTA said the ban addressed the “negative effects of immoral/indecent content”, adding that the apps could request to have their blocks lifted if they show they are “moderating the indecent/immoral content through meaningful engagement”. However, the regulator did not specify what it meant by that engagement.

Meanwhile, Tinder, in a statement, said it would “welcome the opportunity to discuss our product and moderation efforts with PTA and look forward to a meaningful conversation.”

Press Release: PTA has blocked access to five dating/live streaming applications i.e. Tinder, Tagged, Skout, Grindr and SayHi. pic.twitter.com/gFJxsgcn6m

— PTA (@PTAofficialpk) September 1, 2020

Since the platforms did not respond to the notices within the stipulated time therefore the Authority issued orders for blocking of the said applications.

— PTA (@PTAofficialpk) September 1, 2020

Following the announcement, enraged Pakistanis took to social media to express their anger at PTA for blocking the apps.

Tinder and a bunch of dating apps blocked for 'immorality'. TikTok, YouTube warned for 'harmful' (read: anti-govt) content. Welcome to Digital Pakistan! 🙈🙉🙊

— Atika Rehman (@AtikaRehman) September 2, 2020

cannot believe that pakistan would try to ban dating while this guy is in charge pic.twitter.com/UjiBSCZsl7

— Sana Kazmi (@sanakazmi) September 1, 2020

We can't keep marrying the first man/ woman presented to us at 19. In a country where spousal abuse and domestic violence is rampant, we must be given a chance to understand and explore our choices and make informed decisions

— s | free 🇵🇸 (@ranaslander) September 1, 2020

Most city spaces in Pakistan lack a coherent structure for neighbourhood sports, art or music, something that could bring people together to create and learn from each other. To give disconnected urbanites a space to get involved in the community. No local libraries, nothing.

— Sabahat Zakariya (@sabizak) September 1, 2020

PTA wants Tinder to remove “dating services” from its app. Um…. <standing ovation> #Genius https://t.co/Ap6PsWA9ab

— Hasan Zaidi (@hyzaidi) September 1, 2020

Because consenting adults are not allowed to mingle and meet in any sort of public space in Pakistan. Even if it’s virtual. The sinister banality of a state meddling in every aspect of its citizens lives. https://t.co/LL0ITgwiRW

— Sophia Saifi (@SophiaSaifi) September 1, 2020

Single people: Conservative society. Few social spaces for couples. Pandemic enforced lockdown. Can dating get any harder?

PTA: hold my Millat Cola pic.twitter.com/5EwybJy5Jn

— Ahmer Naqvi (@karachikhatmal) September 1, 2020

Other Twitter users including Osman Khalid Butt decided to make a joke of the situation.

Me: 'Dammit, they banned Tinder'
Friend: 'Oh no, who will you never match with now?'

— Osman Khalid Butt 🇵🇸 (@aClockworkObi) September 1, 2020

Ofc you’re all supposed to marry your phupo ki beti and partake in the endless cycle of cousins marriage and inbreeding. 0/10 doctors would recommend 👎🏽 https://t.co/gPjG1ckuoy

— maryam (@maryamful) September 1, 2020

Earlier, PTA asked YouTube to immediately block all videos they consider “objectionable” from being accessed in the country. The demand was criticised by rights campaigners who fear creeping censorship and control of Pakistan’s internet and printed media.

In July, authorities issued a final warning to Chinese-owned social media app TikTok, ordering it to filter any obscene content, following which TikTok not only upgraded its ‘Community Guidelines’, but also released its Urdu language version for Pakistani users.