A growing number of Pakistani freelancers have raised concerns about potential account closures on Fiverr, reportedly linked to the country’s recurring internet outages and slow speeds.
As the internet situation in Pakistan continues to fluctuate, many freelancers who serve international clients fear that their accounts may be at risk due to these disruptions.
Recent discussions on social media platforms have highlighted that Fiverr may be blocking the profiles of Pakistani freelancers in response to ongoing internet issues.
These outages not only impact day-to-day communication but also have severe repercussions for individuals relying on digital platforms for their livelihoods.
Freelancers’ express deep concerns
Tahir Umar, a freelancer affected by these circumstances, shared his experience with the media. “Clients are losing trust because it’s not just a one-off issue; it’s a recurring problem in Pakistan,” Umar said.
He noted that while his Fiverr account and gigs have not been permanently blocked, he did receive a notification from Fiverr on February 8, indicating that his gig would be temporarily suspended due to internet outages.
Umar also expressed concern over using VPNs, which can lead to location inaccuracies, further complicating his situation. “The slow internet speeds and outages have made it challenging to maintain my freelance work,” he added.
Fiverr’s response to ongoing scene
In response to these concerns, Fiverr acknowledged the issue in a statement. The company explained that temporary suspensions are sometimes enacted to protect freelancers’ accounts when the system detects location discrepancies due to internet instability.
“When location problems arise, it is a system-generated response to address and rectify issues related to freelancers’ profiles,” Fiverr’s response noted.
The broader impact of these internet issues is significant. The telecom sector in Pakistan faced a staggering loss of PKR 2.46 billion during a major internet shutdown in May 2023. Similarly, the IT sector experienced a financial setback of PKR 10 billion. These figures underscore the severe economic consequences of frequent internet disruptions on Pakistan’s digital economy.
As freelancers and businesses in Pakistan navigate these challenges, the need for more robust and stable internet infrastructure becomes increasingly evident. The situation calls for a concerted effort to address both the technological and economic impacts of internet instability in the country.
For now, Pakistani freelancers remain hopeful that the issues will be resolved promptly, allowing them to continue their work without further interruptions.