Data Dignity Draft: Bangladesh Finalizes Personal Data Protection Ordinance 2025
With the aim of ensuring global standards in data privacy, the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division has finalized the draft of the Personal Data Protection Ordinance, 2025. The draft envisions a law that reflects internationally acclaimed frameworks and incorporates practices from neighboring and other countries to address personal data protection challenges.
According to the ICT Division, "Any citizen's personal data is their asset, and the state is responsible for safeguarding it." The division further emphasized that personal information plays a vital role in today’s world, contributing significantly to economic development and improving citizens’ quality of life.
The finalization meeting of the draft took place on Tuesday, June 3, just before Eid, at the ICT Division office. Citing the meeting, Muhammad Jasim Uddin, Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, said, “The privacy, protection, and legal use of citizens' data—whether within the country or abroad—should be ensured only with the consent of the data owner.”
He noted that although the use of personal data has been widespread in Bangladesh for years, no specific law has been enacted to ensure its confidentiality, protection, or legal storage and transfer. As a result, public and private entities have been collecting, storing, and transferring data arbitrarily, depriving citizens of their legal rights and exposing them to risks through unregulated data exchanges.
The ICT Division clarified that the draft was developed with the intent of establishing a business-friendly legal framework that incorporates global best practices. To achieve this, it has been published online multiple times for public consultation. Feedback was sought from Bangladesh’s top business associations, leading international data-reliant organizations, media, and various public and private institutions. Several stakeholder meetings were also held to gather input. After carefully reviewing the received feedback, the draft has been revised and is now in its final stage of completion.
