The Bangladeshi government has announced a major legislative overhaul to combat the escalating threats posed by digital misinformation and the misuse of artificial intelligence. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, addressing the Jatiya Sangsad on Monday, confirmed that the government is drafting the Cyber Security Act, 2026. This comprehensive reform aims to refine the legal definitions of rumors, defamation, and misleading content, while simultaneously introducing stringent penalties for those who weaponize social media and AI to disseminate false narratives. The move comes as a direct response to a parliamentary discussion led by lawmaker Helen Zerin Khan regarding the dangers of bot networks and AI-generated fabrications.
The initiative was prompted by mounting concerns over the erosion of public discourse and the victimization of citizens through digital means. During the session, Helen Zerin Khan highlighted the proliferation of fake identities and organized disinformation campaigns that target political figures, national institutions, and the state itself. She specifically raised alarms regarding the increasing sophistication of AI, which is now being used to produce hyper-realistic, defamatory audio and video clips, as well as the harassment of women and children online. The minister acknowledged these challenges, noting that even the head of government and their family have been frequent targets of coordinated online smear campaigns.
A core component of the proposed legislative changes is the introduction of a legal mechanism to hold international technology giants accountable. Minister Salahuddin pointed out that currently, domestic authorities such as the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) lack a strong legal mandate to compel platforms like Meta to act swiftly. He explained that social media behemoths often resist immediate content removal requests by citing the absence of a robust, time-bound legal framework in Bangladesh. By aligning domestic laws with the standards seen in neighboring countries, the government intends to force these platforms to remove harmful content within specific, strict timeframes, such as a 24-hour window.
The Minister emphasized the urgent need to redefine the boundaries of “freedom of expression” in the digital age, suggesting that the current legal ambiguity has been exploited to circulate harmful material under the guise of free speech. The revised legislation is expected to not only tighten control over social media and virtual platforms but also to empower law enforcement agencies, cyber security units, and the BTRC to proactively block or restrict illicit content. This broader strategy involves bringing all virtual communication mediums under a clearer, more rigorous legal framework that balances individual rights with the protection of the state and its citizens.
Beyond the realm of cyber security, the government is also moving to modernize its approach to combatting long-standing social issues. Minister Salahuddin announced that the draft Gambling Prevention Act is nearing completion, intended to replace outdated, colonial-era legislation from 1867. This new law seeks to penalize both online and offline gambling ventures, which have increasingly proliferated alongside the growth of digital technology. By updating these laws, the government aims to close legal loopholes that have historically hindered effective prosecution and enforcement in the digital era.
Finally, the government has set its sights on institutional reform as part of this sweeping legal package, specifically focusing on the Narcotics Control Department. The Minister admitted that enforcement agencies remain underequipped, lacking the necessary training, advanced laboratory capabilities, and specialized canine units to dismantle sophisticated drug trafficking networks. The proposed amendments to the Narcotics Control Act aim to restructure and empower the department, transforming it into a self-sufficient, technologically capable organization. These reforms collectively represent a government-wide effort to digitize, modernize, and strengthen the state’s regulatory and enforcement capacity.
