Political propaganda on social media rising ahead of elections: CCAF

Political propaganda on social media is on the rise as Bangladesh prepares for the national parliamentary elections, according to the Cyber Crime Awareness Foundation (CCAF). The organization has urged government and private institutions, as well as political parties, to launch cyber awareness programs to prevent technology-related security risks.

The call came at an event held at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity on Friday to mark “Cybersecurity Awareness Month October-2025”, attended by technology experts from both the public and private sectors.

Abul Hasnat Mohammad Shafi Ullah, Senior General Manager of RAB’s Cyber Security Planning Department, warned that technology has no boundaries. “Just as people worldwide fall victim to deception, we are not immune. Awareness is essential. Social media use has reached an unprecedented level, and our vigilance must match it,” he said.

CCAF advisor Syed Zahid Hossain, a computer network engineer, highlighted that fake information circulated on social media often has political motives. “Many parties and individuals deliberately post misleading content to damage their opponents,” he said.

Taposi Rabeya, Deputy Director of BLAST, added that online sexual harassment affects not only less-educated villagers but also highly educated urban residents. “Among victims, 15–25% do not seek legal help, often due to their own lack of awareness,” she said.

Musfiqur Rahman, Secretary of the National Committee on Cybersecurity Awareness, emphasized that Bangladesh’s technological literacy is still limited. “We must focus on developing and using our own technology. AI is increasingly used to create fake photo cards, spreading misinformation. Sharing such content without verification is risky,” he warned.

Citing CCAF’s 2024 research report, Rahman said 78.78% of cybercrime victims are aged 18–30, and nearly 59% are women. Among types of cybercrime, 21.65% involve social media or online account hacking, the highest category. He noted a worrying rise in multidimensional crimes, with “other” types increasing to 11.85%, nearly double last year.

The report also revealed that 47.72% of victims suffered reputational damage, 40.15% incurred financial losses, and nearly all endured psychological distress. Only 12% sought legal assistance, with 81.25% filing general diaries and 18.75% submitting written complaints. Satisfaction with law enforcement was low, at just 12.5%. Most victims were educated: 40.9% completed higher secondary, 21.21% hold bachelor’s degrees, 16.66% completed secondary, and 12.87% below secondary level.

Experts said the 10th Cybersecurity Awareness Month holds particular significance for Bangladesh. Since 2016, the CCAF has conducted awareness campaigns during October, coinciding with global observances. This year, the organization has officially joined the campaign run by the US National Cyber Security Alliance.

The foundation stressed that basic practices such as password management, multi-factor authentication, software updates, and avoiding suspicious links are critical. Ignoring these measures can expose individuals, institutions, and even the state to significant risks. Awareness campaigns focusing on these four areas will continue throughout October.