The recently concluded Data Privacy Week 2024 marked a pivotal moment in Bangladesh's journey towards digital security and privacy.
The week-long campaign, themed "Empowerment through Data Privacy & Cyber Security Awareness," witnessed a confluence of government officials, industry leaders, and legal experts rallying around the imperative of safeguarding personal information in the digital realm.
Beginning the week on January 21 with a Legal Technology & Innovation (LIT) webinar, esteemed speakers, including Barrister Tasnuva Shelley, advocate of the Supreme Court, and Cynthia Cole, certified information privacy professional (CIPP/E), illuminated the evolving landscape of privacy laws. Joined by Abu Sayed Md Kamruzzaman, director general of the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA), the webinar set the stage for a week of insightful discussions and collaborative efforts.
The inauguration on January 22, held at the BCC Auditorium in Dhaka, was graced by the presence of high-ranking officials such as Md Shamsul Arefin, secretary of the ICT Division, who emphasized the paramount importance of data privacy in the digital age.
The event, organized by the NCSA in partnership with Barrister Tasnuva Shelley of Legalized Education Bangladesh Limited and SSL Commerze, underscored the collective commitment to fostering a culture of awareness and education around data privacy and cybersecurity.
In the first session, Barrister Tasnuva Shelley welcomed the high officials from the ICT Division for being present and for sharing the common goal of advancing data privacy and cybersecurity practices in Bangladesh. Among other high officials of the relevant government agencies, industry leaders, and representatives from all stakeholders of the ICT Ministry, ATM Ziaul Islam Controller, joint secretary, Office of the Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA), and Md Ataur Rahman Khan, managing director and joint secretary, Bangladesh Computer and Communication Limited (BDCCL) were in attendance.
Barrister Shelley, as the keynote speaker of the second session, highlighted that respecting privacy is not only a responsibility for organizations but also for individuals. By respecting our own data privacy, it is possible to safeguard personal information and prevent it from being misused, whether a comprehensive data protection law exists or not.
Throughout the week, industry engagement remained a focal point, exemplified by a seminar hosted by the Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) on January 24.
At the seminar, Hashim Ahmed, secretary of BASIS, and Lutfor Rahman, chairman of the BASIS Standing Committee on Digital Security, joined hands with Barrister Tasnuva Shelley and Abu Sayed Md Kamruzzaman to explore strategies for ensuring data privacy amidst evolving technological landscapes.
Noteworthy dialogues also took place, including a session featuring Josh Lee Kok Thong, managing director (APAC) of the Future of Privacy Forum, who offered a global perspective on privacy regulation trends. Dr. Professor Borhan Uddin Khan, a distinguished academic from the University of Dhaka, highlighted the ethical dimensions of data privacy, underscoring the need for a balanced approach to protect individuals' rights.
Community engagement initiatives, such as the public awareness campaign at Mirpur 10 and Agargaon Metro-rail Stations, further amplified the message of data privacy. Passersby engaged in conversations facilitated by Legalized Education Bangladesh Limited and NCSA representatives, shedding light on practical steps for staying safe online.