Special Correspondent:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As digital technology continues to transform everyday life, cybercrime is also emerging as an increasingly serious threat to individuals, society and the state. The misuse of social media for spreading rumours and misinformation, defamation, character assassination, blackmail, cyberbullying, sexual harassment and extortion has become a growing concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Against this backdrop, the BNP government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has taken an initiative to amend the Cyber Security Act with the stated objective of strengthening measures against cybercrime and ensuring a safer digital environment for citizens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A draft bill prepared for amending the Cyber Security Act was earlier placed before the Cabinet. The Cabinet instructed the authorities to hold extensive consultations with IT experts and other stakeholders working in cyberspace. Accordingly, the draft was published on the government website to obtain opinions from people representing different sections of society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various organisations, human rights groups, students and digital platform users have already submitted their opinions, which have also been compiled by the government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The process of seeking public and stakeholder opinions before finalising the legislation has been presented as an effort to incorporate public views and ensure wider consultation. The government has said it does not want the law to be imposed solely as an administrative measure, but intends to develop a practical legal framework through consultation with relevant stakeholders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman has said the Cyber Security Act will be amended after consultations with stakeholders. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has also said the law should not be allowed to become oppressive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The government’s stated position, therefore, is that while stronger measures are necessary against cybercriminals, the protection of freedom of expression and media freedom must also be taken into consideration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Under the proposed draft, if law enforcement agencies, ministries or other government bodies have reason to believe, based on analysis of data and information, that content published or disseminated through cyberspace or digital and electronic media is undermining\u2014or is likely to undermine\u2014the country’s territorial integrity, security, defence or public order, necessary measures may be taken.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The draft also proposes measures against content that creates or is likely to create religious or communal hatred, ethnic violence, disorder or encouragement of criminal activities. Content considered defamatory to an individual or insulting to the state may also be subject to removal or blocking under the proposed provisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The draft proposes the formation of a Cyber Security Council headed by the prime minister. The council would include five government ministers and officials from different levels of the administration, along with two private-sector experts nominated by the government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The proposed legislation also seeks to address emerging forms of cybercrime. It includes provisions for punishment for sexual harassment, blackmail, publication of obscene material, defamation and acts intended to humiliate or degrade individuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The use of edited or artificially generated content, including content created using artificial intelligence, to humiliate or defame a person would also be treated as an offence under the proposed amendments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The draft further proposes bringing various forms of digital content\u2014including text, audio, video, graphics and still images\u2014within the scope of offences involving sexual harassment, revenge pornography, digital child abuse, sextortion, defamation, humiliation and bullying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
New provisions have also been proposed to address rumours, misinformation, defamatory material and content intended to degrade individuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A proposed new Section 26A states that publishing or disseminating rumours or misinformation in cyberspace would constitute an offence. The provision proposes a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to Tk 4 million, or both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The draft defines a rumour as unverified or unauthenticated information, news or claims that create, or carry the risk of creating, confusion, panic, tension or social instability among the public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Proposed amendments to Section 25 also seek to introduce provisions concerning defamation and the humiliation of individuals. Publishing or disseminating information, audio, video, audiovisual material, still images, graphics or AI-generated content with the intention of defaming or humiliating a person would constitute an offence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The proposed punishment is up to five years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to Tk 2 million, or both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The draft proposes enhanced punishment where such content targets a woman or a person under the age of 18. In such cases, the punishment could extend to 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to Tk 4 million, or both. The draft also refers to Section 499 of the Penal Code in defining defamation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The proposed provisions come amid growing concerns over the misuse of social media for harassment, blackmail, extortion and character assassination. Social media platforms, originally designed to facilitate communication, are increasingly being used in some cases to target individuals with abusive and humiliating content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There have also been allegations that organised groups operating from abroad target businesspeople, industrialists and entrepreneurs through social media. According to such allegations, the groups demand large sums of money and launch sustained online attacks against those who refuse to pay, including by circulating false or unsubstantiated material aimed at damaging their personal and professional reputations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Such alleged cyber extortion has created concerns among business owners and entrepreneurs, some of whom may face significant social and commercial pressure when targeted by online campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cyberbullying is another growing concern. Online harassment, threats, humiliation and the publication of private information can have serious consequences, particularly for women and young people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The nature of intimidation has also changed with the expansion of digital technology. Instead of relying solely on conventional forms of intimidation, perpetrators can now use social media to threaten, humiliate, isolate or damage the reputation of individuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cybercrime can also affect religious and social communities. There have been allegations of misinformation being circulated around sensitive issues involving minority communities, religious institutions and other socially sensitive subjects. Misinformation concerning important aspects of national history has also been reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the same time, any effort to combat cybercrime must ensure that freedom of expression is not unnecessarily restricted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognises the right to freedom of opinion and expression. Similarly, Article 19(3) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights recognises that the exercise of freedom of expression carries responsibilities and may be subject to certain restrictions established by law, including for the protection of the rights and reputation of others and for the protection of national security, public order, public health or morals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The global experience of propaganda and hate campaigns has demonstrated the potential consequences of deliberately spreading false information and hatred. The development of digital platforms has made it possible for misleading or inflammatory content to reach large numbers of people within minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Countries including the United States, Canada and Australia have adopted different laws and regulatory measures to address online harassment, cyberbullying, hate speech and harmful digital content. Bangladesh also faces the challenge of developing a legal framework that addresses emerging cyber threats while taking account of fundamental rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Cyber Security Act 2026 was passed during the first session of Parliament on April 10, but the rapid evolution of cybercrime has created a need to further examine and strengthen the legal framework, particularly in relation to cyberbullying, misinformation, online harassment, character assassination and cyber extortion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The government now faces the task of balancing two important objectives: protecting citizens from genuine cyber threats while ensuring that cyber laws are not misused to suppress legitimate criticism, journalism or freedom of expression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For that reason, transparency, accountability and due process in the enforcement of cyber laws will remain important. An effective cyber law should not only provide mechanisms for punishing offenders but also protect ordinary citizens, journalists, businesses, women, children and vulnerable communities in the digital environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The proposed amendments represent an attempt to respond to the changing nature of cybercrime through stronger legal provisions and broader stakeholder consultation. The effectiveness of the initiative, however, will ultimately depend on how the provisions are finalised and enforced in practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A balanced framework\u2014one that protects citizens from cybercrime while safeguarding freedom of expression and other fundamental rights\u2014will be essential to ensuring a safer digital environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The amendment of the Cyber Security Act is therefore not merely a matter of changing legal provisions. It is closely connected with digital security, social stability, public safety and the protection of rights in an increasingly technology-dependent society.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Special Correspondent: As digital technology continues to transform everyday life, cybercrime is also emerging as an increasingly serious threat to individuals, society and the state. The misuse of social media for spreading rumours and misinformation, defamation, character assassination, blackmail, cyberbullying, sexual harassment and extortion has become a growing concern. Against this backdrop, the BNP government […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":7202,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15,5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7201","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bangladesh","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n