The interim government’s council of advisers on Tuesday gave final approval to the draft of the Cyber Security Ordinance, 2024, which aims to curb cybercrime, in addition to ensuring freedom of expression.
The Cabinet Division said the draft presented by the Information and Communication Technology Division, subject to the vetting of the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division, had been approved.
Later, during a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said the Cyber Security Act had been scrapped.
It had been used by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to suppress different opinions, to silence them or to create an atmosphere of fear in the country, he added.
Shafiqul said the main point of the new ordinance was that the government wanted to make cyberspace safe for everyone. “Many types of crimes are committed in cyberspace, many are deceived,” he said, noting that women and children became victims of bullying in the digital environment.
The press secretary mentioned that it was the responsibility of the government to make cyberspace safe.
The advisory council also approved a proposal to establish Ganabhaban as a July uprising memorial museum, during its meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus.
The Cabinet Division in its notification said the Ministry of Cultural Affairs would implement the proposal.
In addition, the council approved a proposal to implement the recommendations of a committee formed to address the grievances of retired government officials deprived of promotion.
The interim government decided to issue orders for the promotion of 764 retired government officials who had become victims of deprivation in public administration under the Awami League regime.
