The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has registered 20,437 VPN service providers, according to a media report.

Freelancers have also begun registering VPNs in use and 136 freelancers have registered 180 VPNs, it said, adding that the Software Houses Association (P@SHA) has registered 417 VPNs.

In total, 1,422 companies have registered VPNs with the PTA, it maintained.

Citing government sources, the report said the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) will be enforced once the illegal use of VPNs is halted. VPN registration and whitelisting by the PTA have been ongoing since 2010.

So far, 469 mobile applications have been blocked and these include 435 Android apps and 34 Apple apps. These applications were blocked for containing anti-Islamic content, promoting immorality, and engaging in fraud.

PTA officials said the audit aims to ensure the sustainability of telecom infrastructure and consumer cybersecurity. According to the PTA, a cybersecurity audit is conducted annually under the Cybersecurity Regulations 2002.

The PTA states that this audit is conducted by a third party to maintain transparency and adhere to international standards.