Media watchdog raises data privacy concerns over Google-Pakistan deal

In an open letter, Freedom Network, an Islamabad-based media watchdog, is asking Google and the federal government what safeguards will stop the company's recent Pakistan partnership from becoming a route to surveillance, censorship or unfettered access to personal data. According to Dawn, the group acknowledged the memoranda and agreements signed once Google set up a local office, yet said neither side has published their details.

The watchdog wants to know whether every MoU, contract and arrangement will be made public, and if some terms are to stay confidential, who makes that call and on what legal basis. It also asked whether any undisclosed pledges involve account information, posted material, metadata or official databases. Another question concerned whether a judicial check would apply before authorities could seek information about Google users.

The group also flagged journalists' Gmail, Drive, photo and YouTube records, which could expose confidential sources, and asked whether any protection applies. It wants Google to avoid removing content simply because an agency requests it, and to make blocking decisions under open legal standards with notice to affected users. Freedom Network also asked where citizens' data would be stored under a national data-governance framework now in development. It finally asked who would independently audit Google's privacy compliance, insisting the government should not be the only answer.