Transparency International of Bangladesh (TIB) and Article 19 have demanded the formation of an impartial commission within the periphery of the draft Personal Data Protection Act considering the public interest. They also consider that, it really may appear very risky to give several government agencies the freedom to access and use personal information in the national interest as per the draft Personal Data Protection Act. At the same time, the executive director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Dr. Iftekharuzzaman has called on the concerned parties to ensure that, lest the law that is being prepared for the protection of personal information should not become a place for personal information control.
This demand was made in a press conference titled ‘Draft Personal Data Protection Act, 2024: Review and Recommendation’, jointly organized by TIB and Article 19, at TIB’s office at MIDAS Center in Dhanmondi on Sunday, April 28th. Article Nineteen’s Regional Director (Bangladesh and South Asia) Sheikh Manzoor-e-Alam presented the keynote at the press conference.
Meanwhile, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said, the law should clearly define the definition of person and personal information. Besides, we are not ready to build and localize datacenters and we have infrastructural weaknesses. And if it is to be done, it should be reshaped by involving the participants. And we want to see it as a commission and it must be outside the control of the government. The government may have access in some cases but through the judiciary.
Sheikh Manzoor-e-Alam, Regional Director (Bangladesh and South Asia) of Article 19 said, “We want to see rights-based guidance in this law.” This law is necessary to ensure fundamental rights or to protect fundamental rights. But laws like Digital Security Act as if are compiled for abusing the citizens; This law seems also has been made for that purpose.
He said, there should be a clear association of personal data in the law. For this data center construction always requires air-conditioned or cool space. How much of that advantage is there in Bangladesh? Where Bangladesh has not yet been able to meet its own electricity deficit. Also, data protection should not mandate the creation of data centers in the country. It is better to be outside, it ensures international security.
He said, the government has already gone beyond accountability. And by doing this, the government is being given the opportunity to monitor the activities of the government itself. Granted, there are many positives here, but just as we have seen more negatives than positives with the Digital Security Act, the same will be true here. And Data Protection Officer, trained person is not available in this country. Technical changes are also required from there.
Earlier, while speaking as the chief guest at the opening ceremony of ‘Tier-4 Data Center Cipher’ organized by Accentech PLC in Jessore on February 23, Minister of State for Posts, Telecommunication and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak said that no one can do business by selling or processing our data without our knowledge. Acting on Personal Data Protection. This law emphasizes that our financial transaction information, social media information, personal preferences, etc. information should not be used outside the country, for business purposes or for organizational purposes without the consent of the person concerned.