Pakistan's National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has banned 46 mobile applications for violating national laws related to online gambling, unregulated trading, and data privacy. The banned apps include popular gambling platforms like *Gambling Apps*:

- *1xBet*: A well-known online betting platform

- *Aviator*: A popular online game

- *Dafabet*: An online sports betting platform

- *22Bet*: A betting and casino platform

- *Bet365*: A prominent online betting and gaming platform

The NCCIA has also prohibited unregulated *Forex & Binary Trading Apps*, such as:

- *Binomo*: A binary options trading platform

- *IQ Option*: A trading platform for binary options and other financial instruments

- *Pocket Option*: A binary options trading platform

Additionally, apps that harvest personal data without consent, like *SIM & Data-Harvesting Apps*, have been blocked:

- *Sim Owner Details*: An app that provides SIM owner information

- *Pak Sim Data*: An app related to SIM data

- *Sky Sim Data*: Another app linked to SIM data

- *Sim Tracker*: An app that tracks SIM information

The NCCIA warned that these platforms pose serious risks to users' financial security and personal data, and using them can lead to scams, data theft, and addictive behaviors. Citizens are advised to delete these apps immediately and use only licensed and regulated platforms.¹ ²

*Consequences of Using Banned Apps*

Using these banned apps can result in:

- Financial losses due to scams and unregulated trading

- Identity theft and data misuse

- Legal consequences, including fines and imprisonment, under laws such as the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) and the Public Gambling Act, 1867

*Authorities' Action*

The NCCIA has instructed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to block access to these applications nationwide. The agency is also promoting digital literacy and personal vigilance to protect citizens from financial exploitation and cyber threats.#PTA #CyberSecurity #Pakistan #TelecomRevolution