Twitter has restored access to blocked content in Pakistan, one month after the social network complied with the Pakistani authorities to remove certain tweets from the site.
Twitter, the popular micro-blogging service, is an active forum for people in different parts of the world to voice their opinions, feelings and suggestions. But the freedom to say anything in the form of tweets has been limited to a certain extent on various occasions. Abiding by the Pakistani authorities, Twitter blocked some of the content on its site, including some user accounts, after the government claimed the posted material was "blasphemous" or "unethical". In the end, Twitter holds the cards and after a month of censorship, the social network freed the blocked accounts, Tuesday.
Twitter's compliance with the Pakistani government to block certain content on its site drew a lot of attention and heat from civil rights groups in the country and abroad. The government deemed the material, which mocked Islam and other religions, as a violation of Pakistan's Penal Code, which forced Twitter to use its Country Withheld Content tool to block the content for the first time in Pakistan, Wall Street Journal said.
In a statement issued regarding the restoration of the blocked content in Pakistan, Twitter said, "We always strive to make the best, most informed decisions we can when we're compelled to reactively withhold identified content in specific jurisdictions around the world," according to Chilling Effects.
"On May 18, 2014, we made an initial decision to withhold content in Pakistan based on information provided to us by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority. Consistent with our longstanding policies we provided notice to all of the affected account holders and published the actioned takedown requests on Chilling Effects to maximize transparency regarding our decision. We have reexamined the requests and, in the absence of additional clarifying information from Pakistani authorities, have determined that restoration of the previously withheld content is warranted. The content is now available again in Pakistan," the social network added.
This is not the first time controversial content has been blocked or a service completely banned in a particular country. In March, Turkey banned Twitter services in the country after allegations of corruptions within the leader's inner circle made the rounds of social networks. But Twitter offered an SMS alternative to send tweets.
Last year in July, a law in Grenada was passed that prevents internet users from posting anything offensive on sites like Twitter and Facebook. Offenders can face strict fines and even imprisonment. Other than Twitter, popular video sharing site YouTube is also blocked in Pakistan. The move was triggered after a controversial movie trailer of "Innocence of Muslims," triggered unrest in many countries two years ago.
