Facebook Safety Fears: T-CAB Calls for Stronger Cyber Controls

An open discussion meeting demanding a safer Facebook was held on 11 April, Saturday, in front of the National Press Club by the Tele Consumers Association of Bangladesh (T-CAB).

Speakers at the event said that Facebook has now become a major threat to citizens’ privacy, personal data, and mental safety. Incidents of fake profiles, identity theft, cyberbullying, hate speech against women and minorities, political propaganda, fraudulent links, and AI-generated deepfake videos are increasing rapidly. Due to weak monitoring by Facebook authorities and limited oversight by law enforcement agencies, users are easily falling victim to harassment. Recently, phishing attacks, malware links, and fake offers used to steal money and information have reached alarming levels.

In this context, T-CAB presented five demands to the government. First, fake propaganda pages and IDs using media logos and photo cards must be shut down, and those involved must be brought to justice swiftly. Second, despite a large number of Facebook users in the country leading to higher cybercrime, only 19 percent of victims receive positive outcomes from complaints; therefore, initial action must be ensured within 24 hours of filing a complaint. Third, the government must sign agreements with Facebook authorities to strengthen monitoring and compel the platform to compensate affected users. Fourth, training programs on safe Facebook usage must be introduced at educational institutions and community levels, alongside awareness campaigns in the media. Fifth, a national hotline and a special taskforce must be established to combat cyberbullying, obscene content, and e-commerce fraud, with trained teams at district and police station levels to ensure rapid complaint resolution.

The meeting was presided over by T-CAB President Murshidul Haque (Bidyut). Among those who participated in the discussion were TICAB adviser and Chief Coordinator of the National Literature Directorate Implementation Council Chhaber Ahammed (Kazi Shabbir), Central General Secretary of Bastuhara Dal Ismail Hossain Siraji, Founder Chairman of Sobuj Andolon Bappi Sardar, Chairman of Bangladesh National Human Rights Association Md. Manjur Hossain Isa, President of Bangladesh Mobile Phone Recharge Businessmen Association Aminul Islam Bulu, Communication Affairs Secretary of Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal Central Committee Nasir Uddin Bepari, Organizing Secretary of Bangladesh Civil Rights Movement Md. Musa Farazi, Secretary General of Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) Harun Al Rashid Khan, President of Bangladesh Railway Poshyo Society Moniruzzaman Monir, Senior Vice Chairman of Islami Oikya Jote Bir Muktijoddha Shawkat Amin, Chairman of CLNB Harun Or Rashid, President of Bangladesh Samata Party Hanif Bangladeshi, Chairman of Bangladesh Janajot Party (BAJPA) Mujammel Miajhi, Chairman of Vision Bangladesh Morsalin Islam Babu, and TICAB central leaders Hafez Jahangir Alam, Sohel Mia, and Md. Faruk, among others.

Speakers strongly emphasized that effective government action is now essential to ensure a safer Facebook environment.

DBTech/AA/EK/OR