Provision to compel removal of harmful social media content to be introduced: Home Minister

The Cyber Security Act will include provisions to compel international tech platforms, including Facebook's parent company Meta, to remove harmful content within a specified timeframe, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed informed parliament on Monday, June 8.

Responding to a notice from reserved women's seat MP Helen Jerin Khan under Rule 71 of parliamentary procedure, the home minister said the government is taking initiatives to amend the Cyber Security Act to curb rumours, disinformation, defamatory content and misleading AI-generated images, videos and audio on social media.

Helen Jerin Khan said countless fake accounts and pages are being operated on various social media platforms, particularly Facebook. Organised bot networks are being used to artificially influence public opinion. AI-generated fake images, videos and audio are being used to spread targeted propaganda against individuals, institutions, political parties and the state.

In response, the home minister said that for some time, various content has been spreading on social media targeting the head of government, his wife and daughter, as well as political figures and their families.

"The content being published on social media in the name of freedom of speech and expression needs to be redefined as to whether it truly constitutes freedom of expression," he said.

The home minister noted that the definition of cyberspace is being redefined, and social media and virtual media will be brought under the purview of the law. "I have already started working on a draft for legal reform this morning. I didn't know this question would come up here today," he said.

A draft of the Cyber Security Act amendment is being prepared to prevent the spread of rumours and disinformation, as well as the creation and dissemination of misleading, offensive and defamatory content using AI.

"We will notify it as the Cyber Security Act, 2026. Several provisions will be amended. Rumours, disinformation and defamatory content will be newly defined. New penalty provisions will also be added to prevent the publication and dissemination of such content," he said.

In a supplementary question, Helen Jerin Khan asked whether the government would take measures for effective communication with international social media authorities like Meta. The home minister responded that there is currently no provision in Bangladeshi law to compel Meta to remove content within a specific timeframe.

"Neighbouring countries have such provisions through legal protection, compelling Meta to take action within 24 hours. But our BTRC and related cyber laws do not have that provision," he said.

"Even when BTRC or other authorities send requests to Meta, they often do not take prompt action. They say our laws are not proper. Without legal coverage, pressure cannot be applied. The new amendment will include provisions for coordination with international technology platforms, time-bound content removal, and making the reporting and removal process effective and accountable."

The home minister also said that the power to remove, block or transfer rumour, disinformation and defamatory content will be given not only to law enforcement agencies but also to the Cyber Security Agency, BTRC and other authorities.

Regarding gambling, the home minister said the country is still operating under the 1867 Act. A new law is being introduced to prevent online gambling, offline gambling and crimes committed using various digital platforms. The Gambling Prevention Act is in its final stage and is expected to be tabled in the current parliament session.

On the Narcotics Control Act, the home minister said officials conducting anti-drug drives lack adequate weapons, training, laboratory facilities and dog squads, while drug dealers are often equipped with modern weapons. Legal proposals will be brought to make the Department of Narcotics Control a self-sufficient organisation.