A Timely Initiative Against Cyber-terrorism

The amended legislation may be presented during the upcoming session of Parliament

The government has taken steps to further amend the Cyber Security Act in an effort to combat cyberterrorism and address the growing misuse of digital platforms. The proposed amendments introduce new provisions aimed at strengthening the law, increasing penalties, and expanding its enforcement mechanisms.

Under the draft amendments, four key concepts—rumours, disinformation, harassment, and defamation—have been explicitly categorized as criminal offences. In addition to law enforcement agencies, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and other authorized institutions are expected to play a role in implementing the law.

According to sources within the Information and Communication Technology Division, the amended legislation may be presented during the upcoming session of Parliament.

A newly proposed Section 26A provides that anyone who publishes or disseminates rumours or disinformation in cyberspace may face up to 10 years' imprisonment, a fine of up to Tk 40 lakh, or both.

The draft legislation defines a rumour as any unconfirmed or unverified information, news, or claim that creates—or is likely to create—confusion, panic, tension, or social unrest among the public.

Similarly, disinformation is defined as false, distorted, or misleading information intentionally created or disseminated to deceive or harm individuals, the public, institutions, or the state. The amendments also seek to address emerging technological threats by introducing stricter penalties for AI-generated fake videos, fabricated audio recordings, manipulated images, and other deceptive digital content.

The revised Section 25 introduces offences relating to defamation and harassment. Anyone who publishes or circulates defamatory or harassing information—including audio, video, images, graphics, edited materials, or AI-generated content—could face up to five years' imprisonment, a fine of up to Tk 20 lakh, or both.

Where the victim is a woman or a person under the age of 18, the maximum punishment would increase to 10 years' imprisonment, a fine of up to Tk 40 lakh, or both. The proposed amendments also refer to Section 499 of the Penal Code for the legal definition of defamation.

Supporters argue that these amendments would represent a significant step toward protecting the rights of ordinary citizens and strengthening legal safeguards against online abuse.

The Growing Threat of Social Media Abuse

The misuse of social media has increasingly become a serious challenge not only for individual victims but also for society and the state. Rather than serving solely as a platform for communication, social media is frequently used to spread abusive language, conduct character assassination, facilitate blackmail, and carry out extortion.

Many observers believe that the rapid spread of misinformation and online harassment has contributed to an atmosphere of social unrest. Numerous countries have introduced legal frameworks to regulate harmful online activities and enhance digital safety.

Critics argue that Bangladesh's existing Cyber Security Act has not been sufficiently effective in addressing cyberbullying, organized disinformation campaigns, or online defamation, making stronger legislation necessary.

Organized Cyber Extortion

According to the article's claims, organized groups operating from abroad have increasingly targeted business owners, industrialists, and entrepreneurs through coordinated online campaigns. Victims are allegedly threatened with sustained defamatory attacks unless they pay large sums of money.

The article further argues that many victims avoid seeking legal remedies due to concerns about prolonged investigations, reputational damage, or limited confidence in the enforcement process. It contends that cybercriminals often appear to operate with relative impunity despite existing legal provisions.

Cyberbullying and Social Consequences

The article describes cyberbullying as one of the most damaging forms of online abuse, arguing that it has contributed to severe psychological distress, reputational harm, and, in some reported cases, suicide.

It also states that women, minority communities, religious institutions, and historically sensitive national issues have become frequent targets of misinformation and online harassment, contributing to fear, distrust, and social division.

Freedom of Expression and Its Limits

The article questions whether the dissemination of manipulated images and coordinated smear campaigns should be protected under the principle of freedom of expression.

It notes that Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognizes freedom of opinion and expression as a fundamental human right. However, it also highlights that Article 19(3) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) allows lawful restrictions where necessary to protect the rights and reputations of others or to safeguard national security, public order, public health, or public morals.

From this perspective, the article argues that freedom of expression carries corresponding responsibilities and does not provide unlimited protection for harmful or intentionally deceptive speech.

International Context

The article draws historical parallels with the misuse of propaganda during World War II, suggesting that these experiences helped shape the international consensus supporting both freedom of expression and legal safeguards against incitement and harmful misinformation.

It further notes that the European Union's Digital Services Act (2022) requires major online platforms to assess and mitigate systemic risks associated with illegal content, disinformation, hate speech, and broader societal harms.

The article also observes that countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia have adopted various legal and regulatory measures aimed at addressing cyberbullying, online harassment, and digital misinformation.

The article concludes that strengthening Bangladesh's cyber laws by incorporating lessons from international practice is both necessary and timely. It argues that effective measures against cybercrime, online harassment, and organized disinformation are essential for ensuring public safety in the digital sphere.

According to this viewpoint, enhancing cybersecurity protections would contribute to safeguarding citizens' rights while supporting democracy, the rule of law, and social stability.