To catch tax evaders with declared wealth on the internet, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) in Pakistan has introduced a new Lifestyle Monitoring Cell. Officials state that drones
and AI computers will scan platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to find traces of luxury vehicles, designer clothes, and expensive weddings that are not consistent with reported incomes.
The campaign is mainly aimed at social media influencers, realtors and high-income families. Authorities claim that the step is crucial to seal fiscal gaps and open up the country’s small tax base because Pakistan is experiencing an increasing debt level and IMF-imposed reform requirements.
Though the policy has been met with some criticism due to privacy issues, the FBR maintains that it is only concerned with visible public content.
