In a major move to curb illegal digital activities, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has declared 46 mobile applications unlawful across Pakistan for promoting online gambling, unregulated trading, and unauthorized access to personal data.
Crackdown on Gambling and Betting Apps
According to NCCIA officials, the banned apps were facilitating online betting, casino-style games, and gambling activities in violation of Pakistan’s cybercrime and financial regulations.
The list of prohibited platforms includes some of the most widely used names in the global betting market, such as:
- 1xBet
- Chicken Road
- Aviator Games
- Dafabet
- 22Bet
- Casumo
- Rabona
- 10Cric
- Plinko
- Bet365
Authorities stressed that these platforms were not only encouraging gambling but also enabling unregulated financial transactions, exposing users to potential fraud and money laundering risks.
Unregulated Forex and Binary Trading
The crackdown also extends to unauthorized forex and binary trading applications, which were found operating without any proper licenses or regulatory approval.
NCCIA warned that such services often mislead investors and create opportunities for financial scams and illegal money transfers, adding that unregulated digital trading poses a serious threat to financial stability in the country.
Apps Misusing Citizens’ Personal Data
In a concerning revelation, several of the banned applications were discovered to be collecting and sharing citizens’ sensitive personal data, including SIM card records and mobile number details.
Officials cautioned that such unauthorized data collection could lead to:
- Identity theft
- Misuse of personal information
- Severe privacy breaches
The inclusion of these apps on the illegal list highlights the growing danger of unverified platforms exploiting users’ private data.
NCCIA and PTA Action Plan
The NCCIA confirmed that it has formally requested the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to block immediate access to all 46 applications across the country.
Authorities also urged the public to exercise caution by avoiding the download or use of unverified apps, which may compromise both financial security and personal data protection.
“Citizens must remain vigilant. Downloading unauthorized applications can expose them to fraud, hacking, and loss of sensitive information,” officials stated.
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