Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said the government has blocked Facebook and online messaging services WhatsApp and Viber on a temporary basis.
He said: “The ban on different social networking platforms is temporary. The government has taken the measure on security grounds.
Read more: Social networking platforms blocked
“The suspension will be lifted once the ongoing tense situation changes.”
During the question and answer session of the Parliament on Thursday, he further said: “Many countries have taken such measures in the past. We are not an exception.”
Referring to the ongoing conflicts and incidents of violence around the world, he said: “A conflicting situation is prevailing across the globe. All are taking protective measures. So, we should also be protective in order to avert any untoward situation.”
Take a look: SC upholds Salauddin's death penalty * SC upholds Mujahid's death penalty
Earlier on Wednesday, citing security reasons, the government blocked Facebook and online messaging services WhatsApp and Viber until further notice.
Also, for the first time ever, the entire country’s internet connection was briefly blocked for an hour and a half.
The decision to block the social networking platforms came around 12:15pm Wednesday, soon after the Supreme Court rejected review petitions by war criminals SQ Chowdhury and Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid.