ISLAMABAD: Fiverr, the leading global freelancing platform, has reportedly disabled the accounts of numerous Pakistani freelancers due to ongoing internet disruptions in the country. On Tuesday, social media in Pakistan was abuzz with screenshots of notifications from Fiverr informing freelancers that their gigs had been deactivated.
One viral screenshot shared on social media showed Fiverr explaining that the decision was made to prevent any negative impact on freelancers’ ratings caused by delays in their orders due to the unreliable internet. Fiverr’s message reassured Pakistani freelancers that the deactivation of their gigs was temporary and would not affect their ratings.
The message read: “We understand that internet services in your area are experiencing disruptions, which have made it difficult for you to continue your activities. However, the delay in your orders may not affect your ratings, so we have temporarily disabled the status of your gigs.”
Social media users reacted strongly to the news. Noori, a user on X, expressed frustration, saying, “The killing of freelancers’ income in Pakistan should stop.” Another user, Ehtsham, highlighted the impact on the country’s freelancing community, which consists of over 2.3 million individuals and contributes more than $500 million annually to the economy. He lamented that frequent internet outages were driving clients away to freelancers in other countries.
Despite the widespread concern, some users disputed the claims, suggesting that the issue was not as widespread as reported. A few freelancers confirmed receiving the deactivation messages, while others stated their accounts remained unaffected.
Fiverr’s decision to disable gigs is seen as a protective measure to shield both freelancers and their clients from potential losses due to missed deadlines. However, the move highlights the vulnerability of Pakistan’s freelancing community to infrastructure challenges, which could significantly impact their livelihoods.
