(Daily Point) — Amid concerns of internet shutdowns affecting political information dissemination, discussions have emerged regarding the use of offline applications by political workers.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) claimed that their party website was blocked, prompting discussions on creating an offline app for accessing candidate details during the upcoming February 8 polls.

Traditional mobile apps rely on internet connectivity for data synchronization, requiring users to be online for updates. In contrast, offline apps allow users to access pre-downloaded data without the need for constant connectivity. Users may initially require an internet connection to download the app or share the Android Package (APK) through Bluetooth or other means.

However, offline apps have limitations, as users won’t receive real-time updates without an internet connection. They can still download content while online, providing a workaround. Notable examples of offline apps include Amazon Kindle, Google Drive, Google Translate, Google Maps, and Spotify.

Concerns arise about whether the government can block access to offline apps. In the US, efforts to ban TikTok were discussed, potentially involving app store removal. Even if banned, existing users could still have the app on their devices. VPNs could serve as a workaround, offering encrypted servers to hide users’ identities.

In 2020, the Indian government banned TikTok, leading to alternative app variants and the use of VPNs. A similar incident in Pakistan involved a VPN being used to download a removed app. The government’s strategy to combat the development of offline apps and block access remains unclear, given the complexities involved in regulating such technologies.