'Beep': Pakistan Follows In China's Footsteps; Launches App To Counter WhatsApp

Amid criticism over internet shutdowns and the blocking of sites, including X (formerly Twitter), the Pakistani government has launched a new messaging app called 'Beep,' positioning it as the nation's version of WhatsApp.

The app is currently undergoing a trial run within government ministries and will initially be available to government employees. It will be rolled out to the public at a later stage. "We have developed an application focused on secure and unified communication among government officials. The purpose of Beep Pakistan is to protect our privacy and data," stated Shaza Fatima Khwaja, the state minister for information technology and telecommunication, as quoted by Al Jazeera.

In August 2023, then-Minister of IT Syed Aminul Haque initially described Beep as Pakistan's alternative to WhatsApp. However, the government is now distancing itself from that comparison. "Any comparison to WhatsApp is misplaced, as there is no intention to compete with any third-party platform," Khwaja clarified.

The app is expected to be available for use within the next 45 days. Khwaja emphasized that Beep's data center would be located in Pakistan, ensuring "100 percent safety and security." She added, "Just as China has WeChat and America has WhatsApp, Pakistan now has its own app."

Concerns about WhatsApp's security have long troubled Pakistani authorities, especially after reports in December 2019 that at least two dozen senior officials were targeted by Pegasus, a spyware developed by an Israeli cybersecurity firm. In response, the Pakistani government advised all officials to avoid sharing sensitive and confidential documents over WhatsApp.

Will WhatsApp Be Banned?

Khwaja has stated that there are no plans to ban WhatsApp in Pakistan. "But since Beep Pakistan is safe and secure, we wish it to be used in Pakistan. Those who want to use WhatsApp can continue to use it," she noted.

However, digital rights advocates suspect that the country's testing and deployment of an internet firewall may be causing disruptions, potentially aimed at stifling dissent and cracking down on free speech.