Bangladesh's Cyber Law Revisions Raise Concerns Over Dissent Suppression

• •Revisions to the Cyber Security Amendment Act include some positive changes but maintain severe penalties.
• •The definition of 'rumours' has been narrowed, but the punishment for spreading misinformation remains harsh.
• •Critics express concerns over the potential for state control over speech and inadequate protections for journalists.

The Bangladeshi government has proposed revisions to its Cyber Security Amendment Act, 2026, following consultations with civil society. While the draft includes some positive changes, such as aligning defamation penalties with the Penal Code and narrowing the definition of 'rumours', it maintains severe penalties for spreading misinformation. Critics argue that these revisions do not adequately protect journalists or citizens and still allow for state control over speech. The proposed punishment for spreading false information remains up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of Tk 40 lakh. Concerns persist regarding the government's ability to define and judge what constitutes 'false information', which could lead to further suppression of dissent. The revised draft has not yet been publicly released, and further consultations are expected before finalization.