Amazon has demanded Tk6 crore to launch Evaly’s closed server as it was overseeing the servers before its closure.
AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik, chairman of the new board in charge of managing Evaly and retired Justice of the Appellate Division, confirming the matter to Dhaka Tribune said that Amazon was responsible for overseeing Evaly’s servers before the closure, and a court order has been issued to contact Amazon to launch the servers.
He further said that data from servers of the digital marketplace would be crucial to verify consumer claims, their liabilities and other parts of the ongoing investigation, however, Amazon has demanded Tk6 crore for it as Evaly owes it to them for their services.
“They will not start the server without money and currently negotiations are ongoing with Amazon in this regard,” added the new chairman of Evaly’s board.
According to Additional Secretary Mahbub Kabir Milon, the US embassy has been asked to confirm the verification of the board, as sought by Amazon and upon confirmation, Amazon in Singapore would be contacted further regarding the matter.
“It is not easy to verify customer claims without access to the server or all documents,” Mohammad Sahab Uddin, vice president of the E-commerce Association of Bangladesh (e-CAB) told Dhaka Tribune.
“Access to servers should naturally be needed for consumer data which will help verify authorities of claims that have been made against Evaly. However, it is crucial to ensure data privacy so that consumer data is not misused,” Syed Almas Kabir, former president of the Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) told Dhaka Tribune.
“It also needs to be seen if the organization has kept a copy of the server data anywhere else, to avoid misuse of personal consumer data by selling it to third parties,” added Kabir.
The industry also needs to be aware of digital companies that come into existence with the sole purpose of collecting data through platforms, experts warned.
Rony (pseudonym), who is a software developer and an e-commerce consumer, told Dhaka Tribune: “Following Evaly’s notice of servers I knew, there was less chance of recovering any money people paid to the platforms since the main object holding any proof was shut down. I have kept digital soft copies of my purchases such as screenshots; however, many people did not.”
Recently, two lockers at Evaly’s office in Dhanmondi were broken on January 31 in the presence of Dhaka District Administration Executive Magistrate Asfia Sirat.
However, many checks were found in the locker but there was no cash.