Legal experts, ICT representatives, and media professionals called for the immediate repeal of the Bangladesh Cybersecurity Act 2023 to ensure right to freedom.
Addressing a roundtable discussion in the capital on Tuesday, they highlighted concerns over its potential misuse to suppress freedom of expression and civil liberties, advocating instead for a new law that better balances security and human rights.
The event, titled “Cybersecurity Law: Balancing Security and Freedom of Speech,” was jointly organized by the Telecom and Technology Reporters Network Bangladesh (TRNB) and Anwar Technologies at the BRAC Inn Center in Mohakhali.
Among the distinguished guests were ICT Division Secretary Shish Haider Chowdhury, , and Major General (Retd.) Chairman of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) Md. Emdad Ul Bari,
Experts pointed out that while the Cybersecurity Act was introduced to protect the nation’s digital infrastructure and combat cybercrime, its controversial provisions, such as the authority to block digital content and arrest without a warrant, could be misused to stifle dissent.
They argued that the law is repressive and does not effectively balance national security with citizens’ rights. Besides, the Internet of Things (IOT), data security and 5G didn’t address the law properly.
TRNB President Samir Kumar Dey presided over the discussion, and the keynote presentation was delivered by former TRNB President and Editor of Views Bangladesh, Rashed Mehdi.
The speakers stressed that while cybersecurity is crucial in today’s digital era, the current law is ill-equipped to address the complexities of the digital world without infringing on civil liberties.
They emphasized that the law should be scrapped altogether and replaced with legislation that promotes both security and freedom.
Barrister Shahed Alam, Company Secretary at Robi, argued that the law is fundamentally flawed, asserting, “Rather than patching it with amendments, the current law should be completely repealed and replaced with one that is more in line with modern digital needs and human rights.”
ICT specialist Sumon Ahmed Sabir criticized the law’s potential for abuse, particularly in silencing dissent and curbing freedom of expression.
He called for judicial oversight and international cooperation to address cross-border cybercrime, but firmly stated that the Cybersecurity Act in its current form is not the solution.
Former BASIS President Syed Almas Kabir emphasized the need for a new approach that balances freedom of expression with security, starting with increased public awareness and education on the responsible use of technology.
BTRC Chairman Emdad Ul Bari echoed concerns about the challenges in balancing data protection and freedom of speech.
However, he stopped short of supporting full repeal, instead advocating for clear guidelines and safeguards in any future law.
ICT Division Secretary Shish Haider Chowdhury said the government has yet to take any decision to repeal the law.
“The interim government is very serious about the act and we start discussing with stakeholders to come into final decision over the law,” he said.
Kaiser Hamid, Managing Director of BD Finance, highlighted the vulnerability of the financial sector to cyberattacks but agreed that the current law does not adequately protect institutions without infringing on rights. He called for a more nuanced approach with data protection to legislation that addresses both security and privacy concerns.
He said the banking sector will require at least 8000 cyber security personnel for safeguard of the banking and financial institution.
Harvard University alumnus Nabil B. Arif argued that any new cybersecurity law should focus on protecting citizens rather than punishing them, stressing that the language of the law must be clear and non-threatening to avoid creating a culture of fear.
Wayez R. Hossain, co-founder of Anwar Technologies, underscored the increasing risks posed by artificial intelligence and cybercrime, but supported the repeal of the current law, urging for one that fosters innovation while protecting civil liberties, particularly for the younger generation.
The roundtable concluded with a consensus among experts that the Cybersecurity Act 2023 is inadequate and should be repealed.
They called for the development of a new, more balanced law that protects both the nation’s security and the fundamental rights of its citizens.