SIM Squeeze and Social App Slowdown: Govt Moves to Tighten Controls
From December, no individual in Bangladesh will be allowed to hold more than five registered mobile SIM cards under their name. At the same time, the government has decided to slow down access to Telegram and BOTIM apps at night, with plans to suspend them altogether once the schedule for the upcoming national elections is announced.
The decisions came at a meeting of the Law and Order Core Committee, held on Sunday, September 28, at the Ministry of Home Affairs. The meeting, chaired by Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, was aimed at ensuring law and order and bringing discipline to the telecommunications sector. Among those present were Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Khoda Box Chowdhury, Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sheikh Sajjat Ali, Director General of RAB A.K.M. Shahidur Rahman, and Director General of Border Guard Bangladesh Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, among others.
Earlier, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) announced that, from October 1, individuals holding more than 10 SIMs under their names would see the excess numbers gradually de-registered. Previously, the ceiling was 15 SIMs, which was later reduced to 10. BTRC clarified that the additional SIMs will be de-registered in phases.
Meeting sources revealed that participants discussed whether the government could initially slow down access to Telegram and BOTIM during nighttime. It was agreed that both apps would be blocked nationwide once the election schedule is announced. Multiple sources informed the media that law enforcement agencies had seized mobile phones from 244 individuals arrested last Wednesday, all affiliated with the banned Awami League. The confiscated devices reportedly showed that more than 150 of them had used Telegram and BOTIM to communicate with former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and to join meetings virtually.
Officials from two agencies told the meeting that internet-based platforms were being used to mobilize Awami League leaders and activists across the country. Concerns were raised that, following the announcement of the election schedule, they might attempt to destabilize the country. Based on these discussions, a preliminary decision was made to impose restrictions on the use of Telegram and BOTIM.
