Three weeks ago, Transparency International Bangladesh welcomed the cabinet’s decision on the Digital Security Act. However, after the draft of the Cyber Security Act was approved in the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the organization expressed its apprehension that the freedom of expression of people will be taken away if this new law is passed on Wednesday. TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said that the Act is a copy paste of the Digital Security Act and said, ‘The reasons for which we had concerns about the Digital Security Act still remain. Only the shell has been changed slightly.
This opinion was expressed in a press conference held at the Midas Center at Dhanmondi on Wednesday. Citing the results of their own research and observation on the draft of the cyber security law, TIB says the draft Cyber Security Act is yet to reach Parliament, so there is room for it to be tweaked. The TIB suggested consultation with stakeholders before passing the law.
TIB Outreach and Communication Director Sheikh Manzoor-e-Alam highlighted the difference between the Digital Security Act and the draft Act at the press conference.
TIB chief Iftekharuzzaman said that the changes that have taken place in many places are not clear. Additional police powers have been given. There are questions about police efficiency. The one who gives the power of arrest must also know the technical issues. In some places both bars are mentioned, although it has been changed, but the wording has not changed. That which is beyond cyber-crime should be deleted from this act.
He also said that the draft Cyber Security Act remains vulnerable like the previous Digital Security Act. Weaknesses are to say the least, i.e. the issues that were common people’s concerns in the previous law, remain in the new draft too. One of which is freedom of speech, right of expression, freedom of media, many elements remain in this draft law. Although the punishment has been reduced, we applaud it. But on the other hand it is a restrictive law.
Meanwhile, Law Minister Anisul Haque said that before the law is passed on Tuesday, there will be a discussion with the stakeholders in the parliamentary committee about the cyber security act.