The ongoing updates to the Cybersecurity Law in Bangladesh emphasize a balanced approach to maintaining security while safeguarding freedom of speech. Speaking at a roundtable discussion, IT Secretary Shish Haider Chowdhury stressed the importance of transparency in protecting individual rights, stating that any negative language in the law must be scrutinized to ensure it is not repressive. He emphasized that censorship should not mean limiting the expression of critical opinions.
Chowdhury also highlighted the need for public dialogue to make cybersecurity efforts effective, calling for stronger national cybersecurity authority (NCSA) capabilities and citizen engagement. He reaffirmed that all voices would be considered in the law’s revision process.
Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) Chairman Major General Md. Emdadul Bari echoed these sentiments, noting the challenges of balancing data protection with information sharing, especially in the context of freedom of speech. He pointed out the complexities in managing both individual and institutional rights and called for preemptive planning on how technological advancements would shape future values and dependency on digital infrastructure.
Bari further noted that current cybersecurity measures are insufficient and called for top-down coordination and bottom-up collaboration to secure the Internet, emphasizing the role of both the ICT and telecom sectors. He also raised concerns about the adequacy of protections for critical information infrastructure.
The discussions, organized by the Telecom and Technology Reporters Network Bangladesh (TRNB), also included presentations on the relationship between security and freedom of expression in the Cybersecurity Law. Former TRNB President Rashed Mehedi highlighted how global tech giants like Facebook and Google play a role in data surveillance, calling for greater national control over cloud and data-related businesses.
Other participants, including ICT experts and industry leaders, stressed the need for a well-balanced legal framework that can address modern digital threats while upholding democratic values. Former BASIS President Syed Almas Kabir underscored the importance of digital forensics and data privacy, warning that without proper safeguards, businesses could face significant threats.
The roundtable discussion made it clear that any revisions to the law must strike a delicate balance between protecting citizens from cybercrime and preserving fundamental freedoms like the right to free speech.
