KARACHI: Digital advertising screens installed across Defence Housing Authority (DHA) areas of Karachi were shut down on Wednesday after they were reportedly hacked and briefly displayed obscene content, prompting swift action from authorities.
According to media reports, the hacked screens were located along Khayaban-e-Ittehad and Abdul Sattar Avenue, where inappropriate material appeared for a short period before the displays were switched off.
Videos of the incident quickly went viral on social media, drawing widespread criticism and concern from residents and forcing the relevant authorities to take immediate precautionary measures.
Officials said that as a safety step, several other digital advertising boards on major roads in DHA, as well as along Shahrah-e-Faisal and Karsaz Road, were also temporarily turned off to prevent further misuse.
The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has launched a formal investigation into the incident. Authorities said technical data and digital evidence are being collected to identify those responsible for the hacking.
The incident has once again raised questions about cybersecurity measures surrounding digital infrastructure in public spaces, with officials assuring that security protocols are being reviewed to prevent similar breaches in the future.
