BTRC to summon Facebook, Tiktok authorities

The telecom regulator of Bangladesh will summon Facebook and TikTok authorities to inquire about the measures they have taken on their platforms to prevent ‘rumours, defamation, harassment, and incitement to violence’ over the quota reform movement.

If they do not respond or if the response is not satisfactory, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) will take strict measures, sources at the regulator said on Thursday.

Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, State Minister for ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak said, “A meeting will be held with BTRC on Sunday (July 28) to determine how and in what manner letters will be sent to Facebook and TikTok authorities. They will be asked to reply to the letters within three days."

Asked about what kind of punitive measures will be taken, Palak said, "Once we receive their response, we will analyse it. We will then consider what measures and restrictions (ban) need to be imposed."