Bangladesh Moves to Tighten Cyber Security Law with Stricter Penalties for Online Misinformation
The Bangladeshi government is moving to amend its recently enacted Cyber Security Act for the second time in three months, introducing harsher penalties and broader definitions to combat online misinformation and defamation. According to reports from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, the proposed revisions aim to formalize the legal framework surrounding digital content, with the draft expected to be introduced in the next parliamentary session.
The proposed amendments expand the scope of criminal liability to include “rumors,” “misinformation,” “defamation,” and “derogatory information.” Under a newly proposed Section 26(a), the publication or dissemination of rumors—defined as unverified information capable of causing public panic or social instability—could result in up to 10 years of imprisonment, a fine of 4 million taka, or both. Similarly, the definition of misinformation has been expanded to cover any false or distorted information intentionally spread to deceive or harm individuals, institutions, or the state.
A significant shift in the enforcement mechanism involves expanding the authorities empowered to implement the law. While the draft does not explicitly name every agency, sources within the Home Ministry confirmed that the National Telecommunication Monitoring Center (NTMC) is expected to play a central role alongside the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and various law enforcement agencies.
The revisions appear to be a direct response to the proliferation of AI-generated deepfakes and manipulated media. The government intends to amend Section 25 to include specific penalties for using AI to create or distribute derogatory audio, video, or graphic content. Penalties for these offenses are set at five years in prison or a fine of 2 million taka. These punishments increase to 10 years of imprisonment or a 4-million-taka fine if the target is a woman or a minor, with legal standards for defamation tied to Section 499 of the Penal Code.
Government officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the amendments are necessary to protect the country’s image and safeguard public figures from targeted digital smear campaigns. However, the proposal has faced internal debate within the administration, with some policymakers expressing concern that the move could trigger domestic criticism, risk misuse of the law, and invite international pressure.
The move has drawn sharp criticism from human rights advocates and technology experts who fear the country is regressing to the era of the widely condemned Digital Security Act used by the previous administration to suppress dissent. Critics argue that the definitions of “rumor” and “misinformation” remain dangerously ambiguous and lack objective criteria, which could lead to widespread abuse.
Miraj Ahmed Chowdhury, Managing Director of Digitally Right, warned that the current path echoes the controversial digital policies of the past. He cautioned that if passed, these amendments could lead to the suppression of online freedoms and a subsequent decline in Bangladesh’s standing on global democracy and digital rights indices. Experts are urging the government to pause and engage in a consultative process with stakeholders rather than fast-tracking the legislation.
0%
0%
0%
0%
