In April 2020, Meta appointed the first independent officer in Bangladesh for the popular social media Facebook. Since the appointment of this former student of the Independent University of Bangladesh as a public policy manager, the Facebook authority has regularly strengthened its relationship with the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications. However, within three years of serving, Susana Sarwar, a United States citizen of Bangladesh origin, has been replaced in this position. After receiving the appointment, she held a meeting with the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications in his office at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Tuesday, April 18.
Welcoming her in the meeting, the Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar said that Facebook is working as a personal web site or a media for news dissemination. Besides, in some cases, its misuse, including providing false information and spreading rumours, is creating a dangerously unstable situation. Such an unstable situation is not only a challenge for a society or a state; it’s a big challenge for Facebook itself. And so, to face this challenge, the Facebook authorities should take effective measures to verify the accuracy of opening Facebook ID with national ID or mobile number in order to detect fake identities.
He said, besides creating social chaos by using fake Facebook IDs, some people are being cheated by a class of fraudsters.
In addition to complying with the laws and regulations of Bangladesh, Facebook is prohibited from spreading falsehoods, rumors or disparaging information that disturbs national, social and personal security and honor from inside the country or outside the country, as well as promoting terrorism, militancy, sectarianism, treason, pornography, gambling and information that is against the socio-cultural values of Bangladesh. The minister requested Facebook authority not to do so.
Facebook’s newly appointed Bangladesh Affairs Officer Suzana Sarwar said that the policies, laws of other countries and the situation in Bangladesh are very different. We are wary of harmful content. Any regulation must take into account the personal safety of people. Our policy has been repeatedly told by the government to be aware of risky content, and we have taken measures in that light. Facebook will take necessary measures in the future as well.
During the conversation, the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications highlighted the cordial relationship in the last 5 years following the first meeting with the Facebook authorities in Barcelona in 2018. He said that we are now able to solve many problems through bilateral cooperation.
Mentioning that Bangladesh is a big market for Facebook, the minister said that in continuation of the Digital Bangladesh program, a strong telecommunication infrastructure including nationwide internet has been developed. Unlike other countries in the world, Facebook has an opportunity to invest in Bangladesh. He emphasized the need to be vigilant so that no evil forces can use Facebook as a tool for their lies, propaganda or personal attacks.
Highlighting the need to look more seriously at the report sent by BTRC to stop harmful content, this promoter of Bengali language in digital technology said, BTRC has a digital cell. He said that complaints sent by various institutions including state intelligence agencies are verified by BTRC and sent to Facebook for action. It is essential to increase the rate of complaint disposal by taking urgent action on the reports forwarded at a faster rate. He also requested to seriously look into the matter so that Facebook is not used in the advertisement of gambling sites.