Pakistan cybersecurity alert: Why govt warns of sharing live location online
The advisory urges users to review privacy settings and turn off location sharing when it is not needed.
Live Location Sharing Can Expose Personal Details
The National Cyber Emergency Response Team (National CERT), in collaboration with the National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC), issued the warning as part of Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2026. The advisory explains how location data can reveal more than a person’s current position.
According to National CERT, location information can show people’s daily routines, habits and movements. This information could help cybercriminals identify where someone lives, works or regularly visits.
Privacy Risks Go Beyond Online Tracking
The advisory warns that location data may reveal when people are at home or away. This information could expose users to stalking, unauthorized tracking and other harmful activities.
Location sharing can also reveal social connections by showing which people regularly meet. If this information falls into the wrong hands, it could put personal privacy and safety at risk.
National CERT Recommends Simple Safety Measures
National CERT has advised users to switch off location sharing when it is unnecessary. People should also regularly check the privacy settings of their phones and applications to control how their location data is used.
Users have been urged to think carefully before sharing personal information online or offline. Extra care is needed when using applications that provide live location updates or allow locations to be shared with other people.
Cybersecurity Awareness Campaign Focuses on Prevention
National CERT and NTC said simple preventive steps could help people protect their privacy and improve digital safety. Their campaign encourages responsible location sharing and stronger privacy practices across Pakistan.
The advisory also highlights the importance of public awareness in reducing online risks. Users who understand how location data can be misused may be better prepared to protect themselves and their personal information.
Sharing a live location can be useful when meeting friends or informing family members about a journey. However, keeping this feature active unnecessarily may expose personal routines and movements.
Users should share their location only with trusted people and for a specific purpose. Regularly checking app permissions and disabling unnecessary location access can help improve online safety.
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