Bangladesh: Cyber Security Act 2023 (Act No. 39 of 2023) entered into force

On 18 September 2023, the Cyber Security Act 2023 (Act No. 39 of 2023), which repeals and replaces the Digital Security Act 2018, entered into force with its publication in the Official Gazette. The aim of the policy is to ensure cyber security and establish provisions for the identification, prevention, and suppression of crimes committed through digital or electronic media. The Act establishes a National Cyber Security Agency and a National Cyber Security Council to oversee the protection of critical information infrastructure and monitor security compliance. The Act gives the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission content blocking powers. Furthermore, the legislation defines various offences, including illegal access to computer systems, data interference, cyber terrorism, and hacking, while outlining specific penalties and procedures for investigation and trial. The legislation includes a number of online content-related offences, including slandering national symbols, sending offensive, false or threatening information, publishing information that is offensive against religion, and publishing defamatory information. It also facilitates international and regional cooperation to address cross-border digital crimes and mandates the creation of digital forensic laboratories for evidence collection.