The inclusion of citizens’ right to uninterrupted internet access under Clause 2(v) of the Cyber Protection Ordinance 2024 has been hailed as a significant victory for consumers in the “New Bangladesh” by the Bangladesh Mobile Phone Consumers Association (BMPCA).
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the organization’s president, Mohiuddin Ahmed, expressed satisfaction with this development. He stated, “We have been advocating for several years to recognize internet access as a fundamental right. We have organized meetings, seminars, and submitted proposals to the Constitution Reform Commission to include internet access as a fundamental right in the Constitution and ensure citizens’ data protection. The interim government has been kind enough to respond to our demand, which we believe marks another new victory for consumers in New Bangladesh.”
The association extended gratitude to the Chief Advisor, the ICT Advisor, and the ICT Policy Advisor of the interim government for their role in passing this ordinance.
The BMPCA president further remarked, “We believe this right will eventually be enshrined in the Constitution. Equal rights for all should include universal access to internet services. Let us establish the right to high-speed, uninterrupted internet access for everyone to empower marginalized communities. We also express our gratitude to the media and consumers for standing in solidarity with our cause and for giving prominence to our demand in their coverage.”
The association emphasized its continued commitment to achieving equitable internet access and hoped this ordinance would pave the way for a more inclusive digital future.
