BIGO LIVE Likee Registered in Pakistan
BIGO LIVE Likee registered in Pakistan on Wednesday, as the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) formally registered both apps under the country’s online content rules.
The live-streaming app BIGO LIVE and the short-video app Likee were registered under Bigo Service Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd., the local company behind the two platforms. The PTA announced the registration on Wednesday.
The move gives both platforms a formal standing with the regulator. It also gives users a clear channel for complaints and for the removal of content that breaks local laws.
BIGO LIVE Likee registration under the 2021 rules
The PTA said the registration was completed under the Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards) Rules, 2021. Those rules require significant social media companies operating in Pakistan to register with the authority.
The regulator said it looks forward to working more closely with BIGO to improve content moderation, promote responsible use of the platforms, and ensure they keep complying with Pakistani laws.
The PTA called the registration an important step in its engagement with major social media platforms and in building a safe and secure online space for users in Pakistan.
This is not the first time Bigo Service Pakistan has gone through the process. In January 2022, the company was among the first to register with the PTA under the same rules. It received registration certificates for BIGO LIVE and Likee, alongside Snack Video, at that time.
Wednesday’s announcement therefore renews and confirms the formal relationship between the regulator and the company, rather than introducing the apps to Pakistan for the first time. Both apps already have large user bases in the country, and the registration puts their local operations on a clear regulatory footing.
What registration means for users in Pakistan
For users, the practical effect is a formal channel with the regulator for handling complaints and removing unlawful content. Platforms that are registered with the PTA are expected to respond to lawful removal requests and to work with the authority on moderation standards.
Other large platforms already operate under similar pressure. TikTok removed more than 23 million videos from Pakistan for breaking its rules, a scale that shows how much content moderation now shapes the local short-video market.
The registration also matters for creators who earn a living on live-streaming and short-video apps. A formal relationship with the regulator gives them clearer rules to follow and a clearer route for raising problems with their accounts or content.
The same regulatory trend is visible across the tech sector. OpenAI recently started showing advertisements to users in Pakistan and 25 other countries, as covered in ChatGPT Ads Reach Pakistan Users. WhatsApp has also expanded features for users without accounts, covered in WhatsApp Guest Calls Need No Account. Together, these moves show global platforms adjusting to local rules and local markets at the same time.
For parents and young users, the PTA’s emphasis on responsible use is the key point. Registration does not change what users can post on its own, but it ties the platforms to a complaints and compliance system that did not exist before the 2021 rules.
What happens next
The PTA says it will work more closely with BIGO on moderation and compliance. Users should watch for clearer in-app reporting options and for faster responses to complaints about unlawful content.
If the platforms fail to meet the rules, the PTA retains the power to act against them, including blocking unlawful content. For now, the registration signals that both apps intend to keep operating in Pakistan within the regulatory framework.
Frequently asked questions
Are BIGO LIVE and Likee now registered in Pakistan?
Yes. The PTA formally registered both apps on Wednesday under Bigo Service Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd.
Under which rules were the apps registered?
The apps were registered under the Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards) Rules, 2021.
Is this the first time Bigo has registered with the PTA?
No. Bigo Service Pakistan was among the first companies to register in January 2022, when it received certificates for BIGO LIVE and Likee, alongside Snack Video.
What does registration mean for users?
Registration gives users a formal channel with the regulator for complaints and for the removal of content that breaks local laws.
Which company operates the apps in Pakistan?
Bigo Service Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd. is the local company behind both BIGO LIVE and Likee.
