The Ministry of Law has nullified the controversial Cyber Security Act, 2023, by publishing the gazette of the Cyber Protection Ordinance, 2025, on Wednesday.

Dr. Hafiz Ahmed Chowdhury, Secretary of the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, signed the gazette of the ordinance. Previously, the Advisory Council of the Interim Government had approved the draft of the ordinance on May 6th after extensive discussions.

The primary objective of the ordinance is to ensure cyber protection. It provides directives for formulating provisions concerning the detection, prevention, suppression, and trial of cybercrimes in cyberspace, along with related matters.

The new ordinance was formulated by omitting nine sections of the controversial Cyber Security Act. The new Cyber Protection Ordinance also addresses cyber protection in a total of nine chapters.

The first chapter details the ordinance. Subsequently, it outlines the formation and establishment of the ‘National Cyber Protection Agency,’ defining its responsibilities and functions. The third chapter of the ordinance elaborates on preventive measures for protection. Following this, details are provided for the formation of a National Cyber Protection Council, with the Chief Adviser or Prime Minister as its chairman. Thereafter, it elaborates sequentially on critical information infrastructure, cyber-related crimes and penalties, investigation and trial of cybercrimes, and regional and international cooperation. The final chapter of the ordinance mentions that the required number of rules can be formulated later by issuing notifications in the gazette.

Among the nine sections omitted from the Cyber Security Act were provisions regarding penalties for spreading hatred, confusion, and slander about the Liberation War, the spirit of the Liberation War, the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the national anthem, or the national flag. Additionally, sections related to publishing, broadcasting, etc., of defamatory information have been completely repealed.

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