NN Online:
Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul announced that the ‘Cyber Security Ordinance 2025’ will be officially unveiled this week following its approval by the Council of Advisers.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy after the council’s meeting, he stated, “The gazette notification of the ordinance will be issued within this week after vetting by the law ministry.”
The meeting, held at the Chief Adviser’s Office, was chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.
Dr Nazrul highlighted that the ordinance will come into immediate effect once published. Notably, access to the internet has been recognised as a civic right for the first time in Bangladesh. The ordinance also bans online gambling and criminalizes cyber-based repression and sexual harassment of women and children, marking these as punishable offenses.
Significant revisions include the removal of nine controversial sections from the Cyber Security Act 2023. Dr Nazrul noted that 95 percent of cases filed under the previous act were based on these sections, and those cases will be automatically cancelled under the new ordinance.
The ordinance also classifies AI-assisted crimes as offenses, making Bangladesh the first in South Asia to take such a legislative step.
Sections related to the Liberation War, its spirit, Bangabandhu, the national anthem, and the national flag have also been repealed, as many cases were reportedly filed under these provisions to harass individuals.
In addition, the council approved two more ordinances: the Code of Civil Procedure (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, and another related to electoral area demarcation.
Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain and the Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam were also present at the briefing.
