TDS Desk

The Cyber Protection Ordinance 2024 has sparked widespread debate among stakeholders due to its potential implications for civic freedom and governance in the digital space.

VOICE, a rights-based organisation advocating for digital safety and human rights, on Monday organised a webinar titled “Cyber Protection Ordinance 2024: Challenges and Way Forward.” The event brought together prominent rights activists, journalists, academicians, lawyers, and digital rights experts, CSOs who discussed the implications of the approved ordinance.

The webinar was moderated by Saimum Reza Talukder, prosecutor at the International Crimes Tribunal and adjunct faculty at BRAC University

Speakers analysed the broad scope and ambiguities of the cyberbullying clause and undefined hate speech, implications for journalists with risks to press freedom and self-censorship, and state control via National Cyber Security Council.

The ordinances inclusion of a National Cyber Security Council, headed by the government, raises additional concerns about excessive state control over digital spaces. While the government claims checks and balances are in place, the relevant stakeholders worry about the negative implications for freedom of expression, press freedom, and human rights.

Concerns were raised over warrantless searches, arrests, and surveillance provisions.

Rezaur Rahman Lenin, who is a socio-political researcher and a human rights activist, said: “A person faces serious violation of human rights when held captive without any judicial process or trial. This new law is a repetition of the culture of internment that the previous government had established and practiced.”

Saimum Reza Talukder said: “There was a public demand for dismissal of the cyber security act as it was turned to weapon of torturing. But this cyber safety act looks like a shorter version of the old one.”

Sultan Mahmud, Deputy Editor, Amar Desh demanded that all cases hanging under the previous sections and clauses should be quashed by right away.