The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority plans to ban a number
of words from text messages, including 'gay' and 'lesbian'.
According to the Huffington Post, the organisation has compiled
a list of 1,600 words which are considered "offensive to
Islam".
The move would block any text messages which are deemed
'inappropriate' from being sent or received by paying users.
Many of the words appear to be LGBT-related. Some of the
censored terms include: "gay," "lesbian," "homosexual," "fairy" and
"condom."
According to HP, reports over the ban's implementation remain
heavily conflicting. Newsweek Pakistan claim they need further
clarification before moving forward with the plans.
Meanwhile, a spokesman apparently told Voice of America that
"the list should never have been made public, explaining it was
meant to be kept between PTA and mobile phone companies as a means
to find out whether it was possible to filter obscene messages.
A more succinct list is expected to be produced, in conjunction
with participating phone networks.
