Zakir Hossain from Dhaka
Bangladesh is planning to amend its Cyber Protection Act, 2026, barely three months after it came into force, proposing tougher provisions, including up to 10 years’ imprisonment for spreading rumours and disinformation online, official sources said.
According to Home Ministry and ICT Division officials, the draft introduces four offences–rumours, disinformation, disparagement and defamation–and empowers the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, law enforcement agencies and the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC) to enforce the law. Parliament is expected to consider the bill in its next session.
A new Section 26A proposes up to 10 years in jail, a fine of Tk 40 lakh, or both, for publishing or disseminating rumours or disinformation in cyberspace. The draft defines a rumour as unverified information capable of creating confusion, panic or social instability, while disinformation is defined as intentionally false or misleading content aimed at deceiving or harming individuals, institutions or the state.
The proposed amendments also prescribe up to five years’ imprisonment or a Tk 20 lakh fine for defamation or disparagement through text, audio, video, graphics or AI-generated content. If such content targets a woman or a minor, the punishment increases to 10 years’ imprisonment or a Tk 40 lakh fine.
Officials said the stricter provisions are intended to curb malicious AI-generated fake videos, audio and images. A senior Home Ministry official said “miscreants regularly spread rumours and disinformation against top government officials, political leaders and professionals on social media, damaging the image of the government and the country.”
However, technology experts and legal analysts warned the amendments could revive concerns associated with the repealed Digital Security Act. Miraj Ahmed Chowdhury, managing director of Digitally Right, said the changes could be widely misused and may further lower Bangladesh’s standing on global online freedom indices.