Bangladesh Moves to Amend Cyber Security Act with Tougher Provisions on Misinformation and Online Abuse

The government has initiated moves to amend the Cyber Security Act, 2026, proposing new provisions and tougher penalties for a range of cyber offences, including the spread of rumours and misinformation, digital defamation, online humiliation, bullying, sexual harassment, blackmailing, sextortion, revenge porn and harmful AI-generated content.
A cabinet committee formed by the government is reviewing the draft Cyber Security (Amendment) Act, 2026. At a meeting held in July, the committee discussed updating the law in line with rapid technological changes, strengthening cyber security and protecting citizens’ rights. It also made recommendations to make the draft more up to date, effective and practical.
The government has also been consulting stakeholders on the proposed amendments. Several meetings have been held with media representatives, while the government decided on September 28 to conduct an expert-level review involving representatives of editors’ and journalists’ organisations as well as information technology experts.
Up to 10 Years in Prison Proposed for Rumours and Misinformation
The draft proposes introducing a new Section 26/A, under which publishing or disseminating rumours or misinformation in cyberspace would constitute an offence.
The proposed punishment is up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to Tk 4 million, or both.
The draft also proposes defining a rumour as unsupported or unverified information, news or claims that create, or have the potential to create, confusion, fear, tension or social unrest among the public.
Digital Defamation and AI-Generated Content
The proposed amendments also include provisions concerning digital defamation and humiliation. Publishing or disseminating information, audio, video, audiovisual material, photographs, graphics or AI-generated or manipulated content with the intention of defaming or humiliating an individual would be treated as an offence under the proposal.
The draft proposes a maximum punishment of five years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to Tk 2 million, or both for such offences. Higher penalties have been proposed when the content targets a woman or a person below 18 years of age.
The proposed amendments also seek to bring sexual harassment, blackmailing, sextortion, digital child abuse, revenge porn, publication of obscene content and cyberbullying under the scope of punishable offences.
Measures to Remove Harmful Online Content
Content removal is another key area of the proposed cyber-law framework. An amendment passed by parliament earlier this year included provisions for the swift removal of harmful, misleading and defamatory AI-generated content from social media platforms.
The government has also said it intends to strengthen coordination with international technology platforms to facilitate the removal of harmful and defamatory content from social media.
According to government statements, the amendment process is intended to address misinformation, rumours, AI-generated deceptive content and online harassment while strengthening cyber security.
Concerns Over Freedom of Expression
The proposed amendments have also prompted concerns among journalists, lawyers and rights activists. Critics have argued that broad definitions of terms such as “rumour,” “misinformation,” “humiliation” and “defamation” could potentially affect legitimate expression and journalism if safeguards are inadequate.
Transparency International Bangladesh has also raised concerns about potential risks to fundamental rights and freedom of expression and called for a comprehensive review of the draft based on stakeholder views and international best practices.
The government, however, has said that the proposed law is not intended to suppress journalists or the media. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on September 28 that the law would not be allowed to become repressive and that journalists and media organisations would be protected from misuse of the legislation.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Andaleeve Rahman had also said earlier that the government had no intention of suppressing free thought, press freedom or journalists through the proposed legislation.
Draft Still Under Review
Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman has said that an effective legal framework is necessary to address digital and AI-facilitated violence and that stakeholder views are being considered in reviewing cyber-related laws.
On September 29, Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman said legal measures alone would not be sufficient to prevent misinformation, stressing the importance of social and political awareness as well.
The proposed amendments therefore involve two parallel concerns: strengthening legal measures against cybercrime and harmful online content, while maintaining safeguards for freedom of expression and media freedom.
The amendment is still in draft form and has not become final law. Further changes may be made after the ongoing review and stakeholder consultations.
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