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The digital security law has imposed "dangerous" restrictions on freedom of expression, said Amnesty International on Thursday.
"This law imposes dangerous restrictions on freedom of expression," said Saad Hammadi, South Asia campaigner of the London-based human rights group, in a statement.
"Instead of learning from the lessons of the past, it seeks to repeat them," he said, adding "Given how the authorities have arbitrarily arrested hundreds of people in the past six years under the Information and Communication Technology Act, there are serious concerns that the new Act will be used against people who speak out."
The group's concerns came a day after the government passed the 'Digital Security Act 2018'.
The law has drawn serious concerns for press freedom and the right to freedom of expression.
"The government's disregard for editors' recommendations and the concerns of the general public shows lack of concern for the grave issues regarding the bill that have been raised by civil society," he noted.
He insisted that the government must revert its course from this regressive law that compromises its international commitments.
The authorities will have to ensure they fully uphold the right to freedom of expression as protected by international human rights law, he said.