Govt to amend Cyber Security Act to speed up removal of defamatory content: Minister
As a result, the government is working on time-bound content takedown agreements with international technology companies, alongside formulating relevant guidelines, he added.
The government has initiated amendments to the Cyber Security Act to strengthen coordination with international technology platforms for the swift removal of defamatory content targeting individuals on social media, Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam told parliament today (13 July).
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has formed a five-member cabinet committee to review the proposed amendments, he said, adding that the committee is expected to take a decision soon.
The minister made the remarks while responding to an urgent public importance notice raised in parliament by ruling party lawmaker Selina Sultana from the reserved women's seat-35.
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Anam said international social media platforms, including YouTube and TikTok, generally cooperate in removing content deemed harmful to national security, public order or religious sentiments. However, they have shown comparatively less willingness to remove content that defames individuals.
He said the government, through the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), has held several discussions with the platforms but has not received the expected level of cooperation in removing defamatory content.
As a result, the government is working on time-bound content takedown agreements with international technology companies, alongside formulating relevant guidelines, he added.
The minister said the rapid advancement of technology has led to a rise in the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfake technology to create or manipulate images, videos and audio for defamatory and misleading purposes.
To address these challenges, the proposed amendments will explicitly criminalise the dissemination of AI-generated or AI-edited defamatory content, increase penalties for such offences and introduce a clear legal definition of defamation.
He added that the amended law will also cover the deliberate dissemination of false, distorted or misleading information intended to deceive or harm individuals, institutions or the state, while strengthening provisions for the swift removal of rumours, misinformation and defamatory content.
The minister also said the government has expanded cyber security services by establishing cyber security helpdesks at district and upazila levels, forming teen cyber crime prevention committees, and launching a 'Cyber Incident Reporting System'.
