The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) of Pakistan recently announced that 46 mobile applications have been listed as illegal, due to their involvement in gambling, unauthorized financial transactions, and violation of user privacy. This move is seen as a significant action against illegal gambling and unregulated investment activities.
The banned list includes applications related to gambling, forex, and privacy risks
Platforms include well-known brands such as 1xBet, Dafabet, 22Bet, Bet365, etc.
Authorities remind the public to avoid using unverified platforms
According to the Daily Times, these applications are quite popular in the South Asian market, but none have obtained legal licenses. Regulatory bodies warn that their proliferation not only fosters scams and data theft but also exacerbates gambling addiction issues.
The NCCIA specifically pointed out that some applications provide channels for unregulated forex and binary trading, often used for illegal fund transfers and financial fraud. These services promise high returns but lack transparency, posing significant risks to ordinary investors.
Additionally, regulators have discovered that some applications collect SIM card information and device identifiers without consent, posing risks of identity theft and black market data transactions.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has been instructed to immediately block access to all involved applications. Authorities urge the public to enhance digital literacy, remain vigilant, and avoid using platforms not approved by regulatory bodies to prevent financial losses and privacy breaches.
