Digital SafetySimplified

Your clear guide to the internet, rights, and safety in Pakistan.

Select the situation closest to yours for a clear, actionable checklist.

Official cybercrime helpline — 1799 NCCIA

Start by staying safe and preserving proof.

Keep the messages, identify the account, and avoid negotiating alone. Use this checklist before reporting to the relevant platform or NCCIA.

  1. Do not delete messages: Retain the full thread context; do not delete or alter any threatening texts, voice notes, or media.
  2. Screenshot the full conversation: Capture clear screenshots showing the offender's profile details, phone numbers, timestamps, and full message content.
  3. Save profile URLs and usernames: Copy the exact web address or handle of the profile rather than just their display name.
  4. Secure your account and seek support: Lock down your privacy settings immediately, notify trusted family or peers, and do not confront the sender.
Report Threat to NCCIA Portal

Digital Rights guidance should not depend on how comfortable you are with legal and technical English.

Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA)

This law protects you against online harassment, identity theft, stalking, and financial fraud by setting clear legal penalties for offenders.

National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA)

This official agency investigates cybercrimes and provides a dedicated online portal and helpline to handle complaints directly.

Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)

This agency handles broader, historical institutional legal mandates and coordinates infrastructure transitions with the NCCIA.

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA)

This authority regulates your digital services, manages telecom complaints, and handles the blocking or removal of unlawful online content.

Secure Your Accounts

Stop reusing passwords across different sites. Use a decentralized password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password to auto-generate long, unique characters. Turn on Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) across every single profile with no exceptions.

Protect Your Privacy

Adopt a strict "deny first" policy for applications. Thoroughly audit and restrict app permissions for your camera, microphone, and location tracking. Use a privacy-focused browser like Brave or Firefox equipped with uBlock Origin to clear out malicious background tracking scripts.

Verify Intentions

Never click unexpected links or download files from strangers on platforms like Discord or WhatsApp. Establish a private "safe phrase" with your close family members to immediately verify their identity if you ever receive an urgent message requesting money.

There are active laws and dedicated institutions in Pakistan built entirely to protect you from digital harm. If you are experiencing distress, blackmail, or harassment, please reach out to the relevant authorities. You do not have to navigate this digital landscape by yourself.

The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 provides the explicit legal mechanism for the investigation and prosecution of digital offences in Pakistan.

Section 20 — Offences Against Dignity of a Natural Person

Protects citizens against online defamation, character assassination, and the intentional public display of false information that harms a person's reputation or privacy.

Section 21 — Offences Against Modesty of a Natural Person / Minor

Expressly criminalizes photo blackmail, video blackmail, deepfake manipulation, sextortion, and the transmission of explicit imagery without explicit consent.