A group of mostly young men, who call themselves e-commerce businessmen, yesterday formed a human chain in the capital’s Shahbagh, demanding immediate opening of social media websites.
Since the government blocked popular social media websites and apps including Facebook, Instagram, Viber and WhatsApp on November 18, there have been news reports that social media-based businesses have been losing crores of taka.
The main banner they were holding had two inscriptions: Facebook and e-commerce logos on the top left and “Digital Bangladesh” on top right.
The banner reads: “Unblock Facebook for the sake of Digital Bangladesh and promising e-commerce.”
One of the placards that the participants were holding reads: “Do not punish Facebook users, punish the criminals.”
Since the website and apps were blocked, many have been using a technology called virtual private network (VPN) to use these platforms.
At yesterday’s human chain, the message in a placard was styled after a popular anti-Ershad era slogan: “Down with VPN, freedom for Facebook.”
Another placard read: “Unblock Facebook, or give us a job.”
Yet another read: “Whatever we earn and eat comes through Facebook.”
In recent years, Bangladesh has seen a boom in Facebook-based trade and commerce.
Many young men and women have become self-reliant by selling apparel, bakery and food items, electronic gadgets, books and different lifestyle items on Facebook.
For these businesses, Facebook pages serve as alternatives for websites where they can showcase their products and by which they can save some money.