Press Release
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, 16 September 2026: Islamabad-based media watchdog Freedom Network penned an open letter to Google and Pakistan government to seek what safeguards will ensure that the tech giant’s recent partnership with Islamabad strengthening the country’s digital economy without creating a backdoor for surveillance, censorship or unrestricted access to citizens’ personal information.
The watchdog welcomed signing of MoUs and agreements between Google and Pakistan government after opening its office in the country to advance the country’s digital vision but expressed apprehensions that the tech company and the governemnt did not make details of their agreement public.
“A big question is what exactly has been agreed? Will the government or the Goofle publish all MoUs, agreements, contracts or other arrangements signed with between them? If some provisions must remain confidential, who decided that and under what law?” Freedom Network asked in its Alert shared with the media through a press release.
The media watchdog asked if there were any undisclosed commitments concerning access to user data, content, metadata or government databases. “Under what circumstances can Pakistani authorities request information about Google users? Will every request require a valid legal process and judicial oversight? Will Google reject requests that are overly broad, vague or inconsistent with fundamental rights?”
Freedom Network was explicit to know if any protection for unambigious safeguards against government access to journalists’ Gmail, Google Drive, photos, YouTube accounts, search-related information or other data that could reveal confidential sources were part of the agreements and MoUs.
The media watchdog asked Google to commit itself to not removing any content merely because a government agency asked or requests for blocking or removal shall be assessed under transparent legal standards and users shall receive notice and an opportunity to challenge decisions where legally possible.
Freedom Network also worried about location for storing Pakistani citizens’ data as the country is developing a national data-governance framework that urges data sovereignty, minimum disclosure and citizens’ rights to know who has accessed their information.
“Will Pakistani users’ data be stored in Pakistan, overseas, or both?” the media watchdog asked Google. “There should not be informal or undocumented data-sharing arrangemnets between Google and Pakistan government.”
The press release quoted the media watchdog as asking the tech company: “Who independently will audit Google’s compliance with privacy and human-rights safeguards in Pakistan?” The answer should not be simply the government,” Freedom Network suggested.
NOTE: This press release is AI-edited under human supervision and Freedom Network owns content of this open letter.
