Unlike the previous administration, the government does not seek to delete individual posts or obtain personal data for citizen harassment from Meta. However, it does request information regarding cryptocurrency and financial fraud cases, stated Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Policy Advisor to the ICT and Telecom Division, during a multistakeholder dialogue on building a digital future at the Conference Hall of the MIS Department, University of Dhaka, on Wednesday.
Taiyeb emphasized that while the Cyber Security Ordinance has been revised to respect public concerns, the existing framework remains insufficient and must be updated in line with evolving needs. Echoing his sentiment, Brigadier General Md. Khalilur Rahman, Director General of BTRC, and the President of IIGB underscored the necessity of a sustainable guideline to ensure universal internet access beyond just legal frameworks.
Internet Cannot Be Shut Down as It Is a Fundamental Right
Brigadier General Md. Khalilur Rahman, Director General of BTRC, served as the chief guest at the panel discussion organized by the Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum (BIGF). He asserted: “Various global resources demonstrate that the world is advancing faster than us. Overcoming this gap is crucial. Internet access must never be shut down, as it is now a fundamental human right. We need to ensure its rational use. However, our youth, bureaucrats, and politicians show little interest in international internet governance, which requires urgent attention.”
Additionally, he highlighted the importance of expanding internet access to remote and hilly areas to improve living standards, assuring that BTRC will work towards this goal.
Legal Reforms: From Cyberbullying to Financial Fraud
In his special address, Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb mentioned that cyberbullying has been eliminated as a standalone offense and incorporated under sexual harassment laws due to widespread criticism. Moreover, financial fraud and scams have been classified as crimes, but penalties have been reduced.
“Punishments have been cut in half compared to previous regulations, and judges now have more discretion in decision-making. Additionally, individuals involved in hacking critical infrastructure will no longer be subject to warrantless arrests,” he clarified.
Meanwhile, Abu Sayeed Md. Kamruzzaman, Director General of DSA, announced plans to launch the toll-free cyber protection helpline (13219) soon, enabling young individuals to seek necessary support.
Adrika Ishana Purbaasha, Manager at BRAC University’s Research & Insight Division, advised victims of cyberbullying to take screenshots of harmful content before blocking perpetrators to facilitate legal recourse.
Raising Awareness Over Legislation for Cybersecurity
In his presidential address, BIGF Chairperson Aminul Hakim stressed: “Cybersecurity should be ensured through awareness rather than legislation. The youth must educate themselves on internet safety. The internet is not just a technology-it is our digital right. The government must be compelled to recognize internet access as a fundamental right.”
Earlier in the event, a discussion on internet governance and cyber laws featured speakers including Syed Saimum Reza Talukder, Prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal; Abdullah Al Noman, Supreme Court lawyer; and Jaima Islam, Senior Reporter at The Daily Star.
Jaima Islam criticized the Digital Security Act (DSA) as a complete failure and noted that while the Cyber Protection Ordinance has made some offenses bailable and reduced penalties, most provisions remain unchanged. She warned: “Regardless of the law in place, its impact depends on how authorities use or misuse it. The government has realized that while laws allow for prosecution, they do not grant control over content blocking. BTRC lacks authority over Meta and Google, leading to the initiative for data localization. This measure grants the government access to personal data, which law enforcement agencies have already exploited. Since the Data Protection Act has yet to be revised, we must remain informed and vigilant about its implications. The future of internet governance will depend on public awareness.”
The discussion was moderated by Dr. Md. Rakibul Haque, Professor at DU’s MIS Department, and Mohammad Abdul Haque Anu, General Secretary of BIGF.
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