The government is introducing legislation to protect personal information. A draft of the law, titled “Personal Data Protection Ordinance, 2025,” was prepared and circulated among stakeholders for feedback. Based on the comments received, the ordinance is now in its final stage, the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology announced in a press release today (Tuesday).

The press release noted that while drafting the ordinance, comparable laws from neighboring and other countries were taken into account. It also stated: “A citizen’s personal data is their property, and the state is obligated to protect it. … The privacy and security of citizens’ data, as well as its collection, storage, and use—whether inside or outside the country—should occur lawfully and with the data subject’s consent.”

Although personal data is widely used in Bangladesh, there has never been a law governing its privacy, security, lawful storage, or transfer when necessary. Consequently, public and private entities have collected, stored, and transferred citizens’ data at will, depriving them of their legal rights and causing harm. In response, the government initiated the Personal Data Protection Ordinance, which is now nearing completion.

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