Pakistani freelancers are increasingly worried as reports suggest Fiverr is suspending accounts due to ongoing internet issues in the country.
Freelancers offering services to global clients are particularly impacted by the recent connectivity problems.
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Social media is buzzing with complaints that Fiverr is blocking Pakistani profiles, citing slow internet speeds and outages in the region, causing significant stress among freelancers already struggling with unstable connections.
Freelancers’ Concerns
In various Facebook groups, freelancers have expressed their concerns about the situation. They shared that inconsistent internet services and frequent social media app shutdowns are negatively affecting their businesses.
One freelancer mentioned, “Clients are losing trust because this issue isn’t isolated—it happens regularly. The unpredictability of internet connectivity has caused problems like inaccessible gigs on Fiverr.”
He mentioned receiving a notification from Fiverr on February 8, stating that his gig would be temporarily suspended due to the internet shutdown. “The slow internet speeds and outages force me to use a VPN, which causes location issues. This has been a major problem for me, making me anxious about the future,” he explained.
Fiverr’s Response
When asked for clarification, Fiverr confirmed that temporary account suspensions are indeed a precautionary step to safeguard freelancers’ profiles and address location discrepancies resulting from internet issues. The platform emphasized that these measures are implemented to maintain the integrity of freelancer accounts during widespread connectivity disruptions.
A Fiverr spokesperson clarified, “Temporary suspensions are used to protect accounts when location issues arise due to internet disruptions. This is a standard measure to prevent potential problems.”
Economic Impact
The wider effects of these internet disruptions are severe. In May 2023, Pakistan faced a major internet shutdown, resulting in significant financial losses. The telecom sector lost about PKR 2.46 billion within 72 hours, while the IT sector faced damages estimated at PKR 10 billion. These economic impacts highlight the urgent need for a stable internet infrastructure.
