Published on: August 21, 2025 1:24 PM
Pakistan’s National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has declared 46 mobile applications illegal as part of a nationwide crackdown on online gambling, unregulated trading, and privacy violations. Authorities say the move aims to protect users’ finances and personal data.
The banned apps were reportedly operating in violation of national laws, facilitating illegal betting, casino-style games, and unauthorized forex and binary trading. NCCIA warned that these platforms pose serious risks to users’ financial security and privacy.
Popular gambling apps on the banned list include 1xBet, Chicken Road, Aviator Games, Dafabet, 22Bet, Casumo, Rabona, 10Cric, Plinko, and Bet365. Officials noted that many of these apps are widely used across the region, raising concerns over mass exposure to illegal operations.
In addition to gambling platforms, the NCCIA listed unregulated forex and binary trading apps, which could enable financial scams and illegal money transfers. Authorities emphasized that these platforms operate without oversight, putting investors at high risk of losses and fraud.
The agency also highlighted apps that access citizens’ personal data, including SIM card and mobile number information. These applications raise serious privacy concerns, as they can lead to data misuse, identity theft, and unauthorized sharing of sensitive information.
NCCIA has instructed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to immediately block access to the listed applications. The agency urged the public to avoid using unverified apps that could compromise their financial security and personal information.
