Thousands of pagers, the simplest form of communication, were transformed into deadly explosives, leaving over 37 people dead in a horrifying display of technological sabotage. In two separate incidents in Lebanon, thousands of pagers and radio devices detonated, resulting in thousands of injuries and at least 37 fatalities.
In July 2024, Bangladesh witnessed an unprecedented internet blackout, plunging millions of users into digital darkness. Initially, the government, led by former state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak, attributed the outage to fires at key data centers allegedly set ablaze by violent protesters. However, recent investigations have unveiled a more deliberate effort orchestrated by the government to suppress communication. This article will explore the technical mechanisms behind the shutdown, debunk the false narrative, and examine its broader implications for Bangladesh’s digital infrastructure and economy.