National CERT Tells Pakistanis to Switch Off Location Sharing to Stay Safe Online
The National Cyber Emergency Response Team (National CERT), working with the National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC), has warned internet users about the privacy and security risks of sharing real-time locations online. The National CERT advisory says location sharing can expose sensitive personal information and leave users open to cyber threats.
The advisory forms part of the Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2026 campaign. It asks users to think twice before broadcasting where they are, and to review the privacy settings on their phones and apps.
Why your location data is more revealing than you think
According to National CERT, location data reveals far more than a dot on a map. It can show daily routines, personal habits and movements. Malicious actors can use it to work out where people live, where they work and which places they visit regularly.
The advisory also warns that location data can reveal when people are at home and when they are away. That opens the door to stalking, unauthorised tracking and other harmful activity. It can even reveal social connections by showing which people an individual meets often.
Live location features in messaging and social apps make the problem worse. A status update, a tagged photo or a constantly broadcasting dot can hand a stranger a full picture of someone’s week.
What users should do
National CERT has advised users to disable location sharing when it is not needed. It also urged people to review privacy settings on their devices and applications regularly, since updates often reset permissions without notice.
Users should be careful about sharing personal information online and offline. Extra caution is needed with apps that offer live location updates or allow location data to be shared with other people. Simple preventive steps, the two organisations said, can protect personal privacy and improve digital safety.
A timely reminder for Pakistan’s growing digital base
The advisory comes as millions of Pakistanis spend more of their lives online. Mobile internet use keeps rising, and with it the amount of personal data floating around apps and platforms. Basic habits, such as switching off location services for apps that do not need them, cost nothing and close an easy door for criminals.
The warning also fits a broader regulatory push around digital safety. The PTA has stepped up nationwide monitoring of telecom services, scrapped the one-year limit on telecom performance reviews, and worked on labelling rules for AI-generated content. Cybersecurity Awareness Month itself is observed every October to push exactly this kind of public guidance.
Frequently asked questions
What did the National CERT advisory say?
National CERT, with NTC, warned that sharing real-time location online exposes sensitive personal information and leaves users vulnerable to cyber threats. It advised users to disable location sharing when not needed and review privacy settings regularly.
How can location data be misused?
It can reveal daily routines, where people live and work, when they are home or away, and who they meet regularly. This can lead to stalking, unauthorised tracking and other malicious activity.
Which settings should users check?
Location permissions for each app, live location features in messaging apps, and photo tagging. Users should turn off location access for apps that do not need it.
What is Cybersecurity Awareness Month?
It is an annual campaign held every October to raise public awareness about online safety, privacy practices and responsible digital habits.
Source: ProPakistani
