Earlier this month, 17-year-old TikTok star Sana Yousaf was shot dead by a man who had repeatedly contacted her online, according to police.

The killing of the popular Pakistani teenager, who had more than 1 million followers across TikTok and Instagram, has raised renewed concerns over the safety of online personalities in Pakistan, particularly young women.

"I had posted a story on social media while at a burger shop," Hira Zainab, a Pakistani social media user, told DW.

"On my way back, a car passed by, and someone called out my name."

Zainab, who has been active on Instagram since 2017, has maintained several public accounts, including a food blog and a society column. She said this wasn't the only instance where online stalking turned into a real-life encounter.

"Once, I was at a salon, and after I left, I received a message saying, 'That color looks nice on you.'"

Both times, Zainab said the messages came from strangers who had previously made online advances she had ignored.

Other recent incidents — such as leaked video footage purporting to show TikToker Maryam Faisal in a private moment with a partner — have highlighted concerns about women's digital safety.

In Pakistan, self-expression and economic independence in digital spaces comes with a surge of threats, privacy violations and social backlash pressures that often escalate into real-world........

© Deutsche Welle