The Rise of Artificial Intelligence: A New Threat to the Right to Privacy in Pakistan

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is growing fast. It now powers many systems around us. From mobile apps to public surveillance, AI is everywhere. But this growth also brings serious privacy problems. AI systems collect and analyze personal data without people knowing. This article looks at how AI threatens the basic human right to privacy. It highlights the legal, ethical, and social issues that come with it. It also points out the gaps in current laws. The article uses real-life cases and laws to show how urgent the problem is. It ends with practical steps to protect privacy in an AI-driven world. This study critically examines the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies as a potential threat to the right to privacy in Pakistan (Qureshi, 2023). Utilizing a qualitative research design grounded in thematic content analysis of secondary data including peer-reviewed articles, constitutional and legislative texts, policy papers, and media reports this work identifies patterns and gaps in the current discourse (Braun & Clarke, 2006). The analysis reveals pervasive AI-driven surveillance practices operating without meaningful consent (Batool, 2024) and significant legal and regulatory inadequacies under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act and the stalled Personal Data Protection Bill (Ahmad, Hussain, & Mir, 2024). Ethical and socio-technical challenges, notably algorithmic bias and data misuse, disproportionately affect vulnerable communities (Galaz et al., 2021). Comparative review of international frameworks—such as the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention on AI—highlights essential principles of transparency, accountability, and data-minimization that could guide Pakistan’s legal reforms (Council of Europe, 2024). The findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive legislative overhaul, strengthened institutional capacity, and inclusive governance mechanisms to safeguard privacy rights amidst AI proliferation.