TDS Desk:

UK-based global rights body Amnesty International has today warned that Bangladesh could face more serious human rights abuses unless Meta takes timely and effective action to address harmful content on its Facebook platform.

In a statement, Alia Al Ghussain, head of Big Tech Accountability at Amnesty International, said Bangladesh is not yet in a human rights crisis, but “the warning signs are visible.”

She added: “The combination of cross-border harmful content, political tension, sectarian narratives, and algorithmic amplification creates a volatile environment that could put freedom of expression and the rights of minority communities at risk.”

Amnesty International and other observers noted a rise in harmful online content, some originating outside Bangladesh, in the lead up to the country’s February 12 parliamentary elections.

On December 18 last year, the offices of The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, two leading media outlets, were attacked by mobs. Investigations by The Daily Star and Dismislab, a local fact-checking organisation, found that threats had been circulating on social media for months.

Many posts portrayed the outlets as “Indian agents” and “anti-national forces,” alongside calls to burn and attack their offices. According to the investigations, there was a direct link between online incitement of violence and the mob attacks.

Bangladeshi authorities reportedly warned Meta about delays in addressing posts calling for violence and expressed concern about the impact on public security and minority communities.

Amnesty International said previous reports highlight the divisive role of online disinformation and its impact on minority communities.

“The risk is clear that online harms do not remain in the digital space. They can shape public perception, inflame tensions and enable real-world violence and unrest,” Al Ghussain said.

“This is a moment for prevention and taking responsibility for the power that social media companies wield in this space. The world has seen too often how harmful online content can evolve into real-world violence. There is still an opportunity to stop that trajectory in Bangladesh and it is up to Meta to take action now,” she added.