Cyber Protection Act Demands Tech Accountability

Policy leaders and legal analysts urged establishing algorithmic accountability frameworks and defined remedies for Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) within the Cyber Protection Act, 2026.

Wednesday, September 15, 2026: The consensus emerged during a policy dialogue held at a Dhaka hotel, organized by Democracy International (DI) and the Dhaka Multiparty Advocacy Forum (MAF) under the UK FCDO-funded B-Space project. Reviewing the draft legislation, DI outlined 26 recommendations. Key proposals included defining TFGBV and consent, establishing platform accountability, deploying automated harmful content takedowns, securing digital evidence chains, ensuring victim anonymity, and enacting compensatory legal remedies.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam stated that the government formed an inter-ministerial committee to modernize the law and assured that the bill will not pass without comprehensive stakeholder consultations. She affirmed, "We want to create an environment where women remain safe in cyber spaces and the protection of all citizens is guaranteed." Endorsing DI's primary proposals, she urged officials to convey them to policy channels. Participants emphasized that algorithms actively amplify abusive media while statutory frameworks lack provisions to mandate timely content removal or check platform mechanisms, urging safeguards against misuse witnessed under previous digital laws.

Lawmakers Helen Jerin Khan, Nadia Pathan Papon, Sultana Jesmin Jui, and Marzia Begum addressed the dialogue alongside Law and Justice Division Additional Secretary S. M. Arshadul Alam, CID Cyber Security Center Additional DIG Md. Jahidul Islam, National Cyber Security Agency Director (Operations) Md. Hossain Bin Amin, and BTRC Deputy Director SM Taifur Rahman.

Technical and civil rights inputs were delivered by UNFPA National Programme Officer Abu Sayed Sumon, Tech Global Institute Country Head Fawzia Afroz, BLAST and CSWC Platform Adviser Barrister Priya Ahsan Chowdhury, Digitally Right Head of Research Abdullah Titir, broadcast journalist Shahnaz Sharmeen, NCP Joint Member Secretaries Humaira Noor and Alauddin Mohammad, MAF Vice President Saidur Rahman Mintu, and DU Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal Secretary of Student Affairs Chemon Faria Islam Meghla.

DI Senior Director Lipika Biswas moderated the event, with remarks from Chief of Party Aminul Ehsan and presentation by Arafat Billah Khan alongside Inzamul Haque Rameem. 

//DBTech/CNN/MIS/SME//