TIB concerned over Cyber Security draft

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has called for a major revision of the draft Cyber Security (Amendment) Act, 2026, saying some provisions could threaten freedom of speech and expression and people’s basic rights.

In a statement issued to the media on Friday, TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said the draft law deals with three distinct areas �" cybercrime, cybersecurity and freedom of expression. Bringing all three under a single law could create confusion and leave room for misuse, he said.

He said several terms used in the draft, including “rumour”, “misinformation”, “demeaning”, “defamatory” and “insulting to the state”, have not been clearly defined.

Such vague terms could be interpreted in different ways and potentially used against people expressing views disliked by those in power, he said.

TIB also raised concerns about the definitions of "sexual harassment" and "sextortion", saying they are incomplete and could make it difficult to identify the actual nature of such offences. This, it said, could also affect victims' access to justice.

The organisation criticised a provision that makes offences under Section 23 non-bailable. TIB said the section covers issues such as maintaining "friendly relations with a foreign state" and acting for the benefit of a foreign state or a person or group. 

The lack of clear definitions in these areas could create scope for abuse and threaten dissent, it said.

TIB also questioned the proposed 28-member National Cyber Security Council, which would include the Prime Minister and only two private-sector experts on information technology or human rights. The experts would also be nominated by the government, it said.

Dr Iftekharuzzaman said the council should instead include independent experts who can work without government control.

TIB also objected to legal protection for council members and authorised officials for actions taken in "good faith", saying such immunity could weaken accountability.

The organisation urged the government to revise the draft after consulting experts, journalists and other stakeholders and taking into account international good practices.