Bangladesh cyber law draft more regressive than Digital Security Act, institute says

Tech Global Institute has urged Bangladesh’s government to withdraw the draft Cyber Protection Act, 2026, warning that proposed amendments could further restrict freedom of expression, media freedom, and public-interest reporting.

In a statement, the institute called for a time-bound consultation involving civil society, journalists, legal experts, technologists, and other stakeholders before the government proceeds.

“The substance of the amendments appears more regressive than the Digital Security Act, 2018 (DSA), continuing its legacy of criminalising expression and entrenching censorship and surveillance,” the institute said.

It said the draft broadens the definition of defamation beyond the DSA and creates new offenses under Sections 25 and 26 covering belittling, rumor, and disinformation.

The institute said those provisions use broad and imprecise definitions that allow subjective interpretation.

“The draft includes no meaningful safeguards for freedom of expression, media freedom, or public-interest reporting,” it said.