Thorough, inclusive review needed before issuing Cyber Protection Ordinance: TIB

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has urged the interim government to allow at least a month for a comprehensive review and inclusive participation process before promulgating the draft "Cyber Protection Ordinance, 2024". 

The anti-corruption watchdog emphasised that issuing the ordinance without adequate analysis and consultation with relevant stakeholders' risks undermining its intended purpose, said a press release issued today (17 December).

In this regard, TIB officially made a recommendation to the interim government on 15 December. 

In the recommendation letter, TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said, "Issuing such an important ordinance like the Cyber Protection Ordinance, 2024 without sufficient analysis and inclusive feedback from relevant stakeholders carries the risk of disrupting its core objectives."

He requested the government to allocate a minimum of one month for all relevant stakeholders and experts to engage in a comprehensive review of the draft. 

"This process will ensure that the ordinance is issued only after a careful and inclusive analysis has been undertaken," he added.

Iftekharuzzaman also stated that the decision to repeal the Cyber Security Act, which was used as a tool to suppress dissent and silence the media, has brought relief to all citizens, which is one of the public welfare-oriented steps of the interim government. 

"TIB hopes that the Cyber Protection Ordinance will be enacted to ensure cyber security and formulate necessary provisions for preventing and suppressing cybercrimes and conducting cyber crime investigation and judicial proceedings. On the other hand, it is essential to take into consideration the probabilities that this ordinance, which is similar to the Digital Security Act and the Cyber Security Act, might restrict the freedom of speech and expression of citizens," he said.