Md Mojahidul Islam:
The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications has instructed the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to remove the internet shutdown provision from the telecom law.
In a letter to BTRC Chairman Fayez Ahmed Taiyeb, a special assistant to the Chief Adviser on security, the ministry outlined several reforms to amend the Bangladesh Telecommunication Act, 2001.
The directive emphasizes that to prevent arbitrary shutdowns by government or private entities, the act must be revised accordingly.
It also calls for aligning the country’s surveillance system with international standards, particularly recommending a restructuring of the National Telecommunication Monitoring Center (NTMC).
Only one agency should serve as the surveillance gateway, with other law enforcement agencies operating under judicial acknowledgment, to develop a structured and globally compliant framework.
Additionally, the directive stresses that lawful interception must adhere to international standards, ensuring legitimacy and accountability in surveillance practices.
