Bangladesh Approves Telecom Amendment Ordinance 2025, Dismantles NTMC, Strengthens Privacy and Accountability
The Advisory Council on Wednesday (December 24) approved the Bangladesh Telecommunication (Amendment) Ordinance 2025, introducing what the government described as “constructive” reforms to the state surveillance framework.
According to the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing, the amendment restores citizens’ right to privacy, ensures accountability in lawful surveillance, and re-establishes the independence of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC). As part of the reform, the National Telecommunications Monitoring Center (NTMC) has been abolished. In its place, a new body titled the Center for Information Support (CIS) has been established under the Ministry of Home Affairs to provide technical assistance for judicially sanctioned and emergency lawful interceptions.
The government noted that the original National Monitoring Center (NMC) was formed in 2008 at the premises of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), funded by mobile operators under state patronage, and was later renamed NTMC in 2013. The United Nations fact-finding mission on human rights violations linked to the July uprising had also recommended dismantling the NTMC and ending unlawful mass surveillance.
Under the amended ordinance, all lawful interception activities will now require quasi-judicial approval and parliamentary oversight. The controversial “speech offence” provisions have also been revised, limiting criminal liability strictly to incitement to violence, in line with the Cyber Security Ordinance 2025.
The government said the reforms aim to improve the human-centric quality of telecom services, modernise regulatory governance, and ensure transparency and accountability in state surveillance. The revised framework is expected to align Bangladesh’s telecom sector with international best practices, making it more democratic, investment-friendly, and protective of civil liberties.
One of the most significant changes introduced through Section 97 of the amended law explicitly prohibits the shutdown of internet or telecommunication services. This provision eliminates the legal scope for nationwide or partial internet shutdowns through administrative orders in the future.
The ordinance also reverses elements of the controversial 2010 amendments by restoring the institutional independence and accountability of the BTRC. A clearer balance has been drawn between the powers of the ministry and the regulator. While the ministry will now approve only a limited number of nationally significant licences based on independent studies, the authority to issue all other licences has been returned to the BTRC.
To enhance oversight, an Accountability Committee has been formed under the chairmanship of the head of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology. The committee will monitor regulatory activities and ensure institutional checks and balances.
The amended law reduces licence processing timelines and scales back previously imposed high and repetitive fines, a move the government believes will encourage investment in the telecom sector. To improve transparency, the BTRC will be required to hold public hearings every four months and publish decisions and follow-up actions on its website. Provisions addressing conflicts of interest have also been incorporated under Section 87.
In a major step toward protecting personal data, the new ordinance criminalises the misuse of SIM and device registration data for surveillance or harassment of citizens. Such actions will now constitute a punishable offence under Section 71.
Appeal and arbitration mechanisms have been introduced in telecom services (Section 82Kha), enabling both consumers and operators to seek legal remedies.
The scope and definition of lawful interception have been clearly outlined for the first time. The newly established CIS, under Section 97Ka, will operate in compliance with the Personal Data Protection Ordinance. Interception will be permitted only for national security, law enforcement, emergency life-saving situations, judicial or investigative purposes, and cross-border matters, strictly following due legal process.
The CIS will function solely as a technical support entity and will not conduct interceptions itself. A role-based access control system has been introduced, and no interception can proceed without approval from a quasi-judicial council. These safeguards aim to prevent political surveillance, abuse of power, and blackmail.
The amended ordinance formally abolishes the NTMC under Section 97. To ensure accountability, a quasi-judicial council has been formed to hear complaints against unlawful interception. The council will be chaired by the Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, with the Prime Minister’s Principal Staff Officer and the Home Secretary serving as members.
Additionally, the Parliamentary Standing Committee will publish an annual national report on lawful interception, detailing its scope, budget, and institutional capacity. Provisions have also been added to protect image and voice data, as well as SIM and device-related information.
The government stated that all measures adopted under the amended ordinance will remain consistent with international best practices endorsed by the United Nations and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
DBTech/AD/SI/OR
