One among ten cybercrime victims harmed by pornography in BD: CCAF study

One in ten (11.35%) victims of cybercrime in Bangladesh are affected by pornography-related crimes and the number has been rising in the last five years. Moreover, social media and online account hacking have emerged as the most prevalent cybercrimes in the country, constituting 21.65% of reported incidents, according to a recent study. In total, the rate of new types of cyber crimes has more than doubled in 2023, accounting for 11.85 per cent of total crimes, according to this study.

This information is according to a recent study of the Cyber Crime Awareness Foundation (CCAF).

Obaidullah Al Marjuk, the head of the CCAF research team, presented the research report on 29 June during two discussions titled 'Cybercrime trends in Bangladesh' and 'Art Bangladesh: Challenges and prospects of emerging technologies' at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) auditorium in the capital.

Meanwhile, personal damage, experts noted that financial harm and temptations are prominent in cybercrimes. However, these remain obscure due to social taboos. Therefore, alongside cyber literacy, the public and private sectors called for maintaining the country's cyber sovereignty through training and skill development to create indigenous cyber solutions.

Experts and stakeholders also expressed concern over rising new type of cyber crimes at a alarming rate.

This rise in cyber crime not only causes personal and financial harm but also thrives on social taboos, which keep many incidents underreported, they opined. Experts emphasized the importance of national cyber literacy and joint public-private initiatives to develop indigenous cyber solutions through training and skill development to maintain the country's cyber sovereignty.

A keynote paper was presented by CCAF advisor Engineer Md. Mushfiqur Rahman. The panel of discussants included Brig. Gen. Kazi Mustafizur Rahman, Director General (Engineering and Operations) of BTRC, Dr. Imtiaz A Hussain, Professor of the Global Studies and Governance (GSG) Department at IUB, Hussain Samad, Consultant and Lead Researcher at IDEA Foundation, Treasurer of Bangladesh Women in Technology and Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Nazmus Saliheen, and Ishtiaq Ahmed, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police at Counter Terrorism & Transnational Crime(CTTC) Unit of Dhaka Metropolitan Police.
Presided over by CCAF President Kazi Mustafiz, the event was moderated by General Secretary Nurun Ashrafi. Other attendees included CCAF Vice President S.M. Imdadul Haque and Training and Research Secretary Abdul Munayem Saikat.

The report also indicates, a nearly 47.72 percent of victims suffer social disgrace, 40.15  percent of victims experience financial losses, and nearly all endure mental anguish. Only 12 percent sought legal recourse, with 81.25 per cent filing general diaries and 18.75 percent submitting written complaints, according to the survey.

 Among the complainants, 12.50 percent did not comment on the outcome, while 87.50 percent did not achieve satisfactory results. Most victims are educated, with 40.90 percent having completed higher secondary education, 21.21 percent holding bachelor's degrees, Nearly 16.66 percent having completed secondary education, and 12.87 percent having education below secondary level.

Based on the experiences of 132 self-motivated victims, CCAF conducted the study. At the discussion, the organization also gave several recommendations to curb such crimes in the country.

Among some other recommendations, CCAF called for implement regular public awareness programmes through coordinated efforts between government and private sectors. It also suggested  providing advanced training for law enforcement personnel and investigators involved in cyber crime cases. CCAF also suggested educating citizens about current laws related to cyber crime.

BTRC's Director General (Engineering and Operations), Brig Gen Kazi Mustafizur Rahman, and Professor Dr Imtiaz A Hussein of the Department of Global Studies and Governance (GSD) at Independent University Bangladesh, among others, were present as panellists. Mushfiqur Rahman

The experts emphasise the need for developing indigenous cyber solutions through public-private partnerships, training, and skill development to safeguard the country's cyber sovereignty.

In the discussion on the main article, Brigadier General Kazi Mustafizur Rahman said, Bangladesh has become digital Bangladesh. Couldn't be a smart citizen. From BTRC we constantly send messages to verify how many SIMs are registered in whose name. But citizens are not doing that. The weakness of the law makes it difficult for us to work. Change is needed. For security, there needs to be a mentality of developing and using domestic software rather than using foreign software in core banking. Cyber ​​is not just an IT issue. It is equally important for everyone. So according to the social media community guidelines, we find it difficult to match the West in many ways. So we need to work on this too.

Speaking at the seminer, Ishtiaq Ahmed said "Although all sections except four in the Cyber Security Act 2013 fall under the category of hacking, they are bailable, making it difficult to bring many offenders to justice”.

Delayed complaints from victims also make it challenging to provide legal protection, he said, adding that “Child pornography is increasing, mainly through social media, which is alarming."

"Online gambling often conceals money laundering, making it hard to detect. A significant threat is imminent in the core banking sector, " Barrister Nazmus Saliheen stated.

Hussain Samad said  "The expressway for Digital Bangladesh has been built. Now we need to use it efficiently. However, 70 percent of cyber attacks in the country occur due to a lack of personal awareness. Therefore, there is no alternative to everyone becoming aware."

Mushfiqur Rahman in his keynote said "The use of emerging technologies in various sectors has brought significant improvements and benefits. These include notable advancements in efficiency and productivity, improvements in communication and connectivity, progress in health and education, and contributions to security and safety."

"It is crucial to encourage the development of workers' skills through retraining and skill enhancement initiatives. In the era of emerging technologies, national security should be a top priority”, he said.

To achieve this, Rahman also stressed the need for promoting domestic educational research, industrial innovation, and the development of local software and solutions.