Dhaka: Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has announced that the government is planning to amend the Cyber Security Act (CSA) to address the spread of rumors, misinformation, and misleading content through defamation and artificial intelligence (AI). The minister revealed these plans while responding to an urgent public notice during a session of the Jatiya Sangsad, chaired by Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Home Minister Ahmed emphasized the necessity of revising the CSA, stating that the current legislation does not adequately address the arbitrary dissemination of content on social media, which often targets the character of prominent political figures and their families under the guise of freedom of speech. He highlighted that the drafting of the new cyber security act has commenced, aiming to redefine ‘cyber space’ to encompass social media, virtual media, and online platforms.
Under the proposed amendments, new definitions and provisions will be introduced to tackle rumors, misinformation, defamation, and confusing content. The revised law will include stricter punishments to deter the broadcasting of defamatory content on social media. The minister also pointed out the increasing tendency to produce insulting and defamatory content using AI, necessitating greater coordination with international tech platforms for the swift removal of harmful content.
Currently, requests to remove harmful content often go unheeded, a situation the minister aims to rectify by mandating content removal within a specific timeframe under the new law. Additionally, executive powers may be extended to other government-approved agencies, including the national cyber security authority and the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, to block or remove offensive data and content from social networks.
Addressing a supplementary query, the home minister noted that international tech companies like Meta frequently ignore requests from Bangladesh due to the absence of a legal obligation to remove offensive content. He cited examples from neighboring countries that have compelled platforms like Meta to act against harmful media content within 24 hours, thanks to their robust legal frameworks. The new act will include similar provisions to ensure compliance from international platforms.
In addition to cyber security, the home minister touched upon plans to modernize the Public Gambling Act of 1867 by incorporating provisions for online and offline gambling and betting. The updated legislation is expected to be introduced in the current parliamentary session. Furthermore, a new narcotics control act is being developed to enhance the capabilities of the narcotics control department, with plans to establish modern laboratories, training facilities, and a dog squad to support enforcement efforts.