Cyber Security Act, 2023 Explained

The Cyber Security Act, 2023 is a digital security law in Bangladesh that was passed in 2023 replacing the criticized Digital Security Act, 2018.[1] [2] [3] Amnesty International described it as a replication of the "Draconian" Digital Security Act.[4]

History

Cyber Security Act, 2023 was passed by the parliament of Bangladesh in September 2023 with provisions for punishing those filing fake cases under the act.[5] It contains most of the provisions of Digital Security Act, 2018 and Section 57 of the Information and Communication Technology Act, 2006.[6] Amnesty International said it does not comply with "international human rights law".[7] The law renamed Digital Security Agency to Cyber Security Agency.[8]

Transparency International Bangladesh and Article 19 have been critical of the law and its impact on the citizens of Bangladesh.[9]

During the Quota reforms protests, the law was used to filed cases against those posting negative posts about then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. After the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services and Forum for Freedom of Expression Bangladesh called for the act to be repealed in August 2024.[10] [11]

On 7 September 2024, a 16 year old Hindu boy was charged under the Cyber Security Act for posting comments critical of Mohmmad, the prophet of Islam, with the Khulna Sadar Police Station.[12] The boy was lynched from the police station by an agitated mob.[13]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2024-03-04 . Bangladesh: Government enacts Cybersecurity Act 2023 . 2024-09-07 . DataGuidance . en.
  2. Web site: Mahmud . Faisal . Bangladesh to tone down ‘draconian’ digital security law . 2024-09-07 . Al Jazeera . en.
  3. Web site: It's time to repeal Cyber Security Act - - observerbd.com . 2024-09-07 . The Daily Observer.
  4. Web site: 2023-08-31 . Bangladesh: Government must remove draconian provisions from the Draft Cyber Security Act . 2024-09-07 . Amnesty International . en.
  5. News: 13 September 2023 . Parliament passes Cyber Security Bill 2023 . 7 September 2024 . Dhaka Tribune.
  6. Web site: 2024-08-08 . Restore freedom of expression in Bangladesh & repeal CSA . 2024-09-07 . Amnesty International . en.
  7. Web site: 2023-09-20 . Bangladesh revised a digital security law. Is it really less severe? . 2024-09-07 . Rest of World . en-US.
  8. Web site: 2023-12-01 . Overhaul the Cyber Security Agency to protect data . 2024-09-07 . The Daily Star . en.
  9. News: 15 June 2024 . Govt must overhaul Cyber Security Act and then redraft rules . 7 September 2024 . New Age.
  10. Web site: Demand for repeal of Cyber Security Act . 2024-09-07 . businesspostbd.com . en.
  11. Web site: BASIS urges interim government to repeal Cyber Security Act . 2024-09-07 . unb.com.bd.
  12. Web site: প্রতিবেদক . নিজস্ব . 2024-09-07 . মহানবীকে নিয়ে কটূক্তির অভিযোগ, খুলনার সেই কিশোরের বিরুদ্ধে সাইবার আইনে মামলা . 2024-09-07 . Prothomalo . bn.
  13. Web site: প্রতিবেদক . নিজস্ব . 2024-09-05 . খুলনায় মহানবী (সা.)–কে নিয়ে কটূক্তির অভিযোগে পুলিশ কার্যালয়ে ঢুকে কিশোরকে গণপিটুনি . 2024-09-07 . Prothomalo . bn.

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