KABUL (SW) – The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology on Saturday warned to block Facebook in the country if the social media giant failed to streamline its services in line with the policies and regulation enforced in Afghanistan.
Shahzadgul Aryubi, minister for the MoCIT, said at a press conference that the Facebook is required to adopt itself to the rules, regulations values and culture of Afghanistan otherwise it would be banned here.
He said an official letter would be sent to Facebook through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Aryubi said individual’s privacies have been harmed through fake accounts and negative propaganda is underway against national interest and values.
The minister further said Afghanistan Telecommunication Regulatory Authority has shared 20 key public complaints in regard to telecommunication service providers, but only one has been addressed. He warned if ATRA failed to address public concerns, he would request the president to merge it with the MoCIT.
He clarified AFN 15.14 billion worth of revenue has been collected through the 10 per cent telecom tax in the past four years.
According to the officials at least 24979 unregistered sim cards have been confiscated, and telecommunication firms have been given one month’s ultimatum to streamline sale of new connection in line with the MoCIT regulations.
This comes amid a robust campaign ‘Where is ATRA?’ in connection with the alleged hidden tariffs and theft.
ENDS
