ICT Act to be amended to combat cyber crimes
The government is going to amend the Information and Communication Technology Act to combat the increasing amount of cyber crimes, Law Minister Anisul Huq said yesterday.
Speaking as the chief guest at a roundtable organised by Article 19, a research organisation, in Sonargaon Hotel of the capital, the law minister said the volume of cyber crimes have now increased significantly.
The law had a different value when it was introduced in 2006 but its appeal has changed over time, Huq said, adding that the government will amend several of the laws sections by the end of this year.
Several rights bodies have flayed sections 46, 57, and 71 of the ICT Act, 2006, saying these curb freedom of speech.
Section 46 empowers the authorities concerned to prevent broadcast of any element that threatens the sovereignty, unity and safety or Bangladeshs relations with other countries. If information published on websites encourages dishonesty, offends anyone, or tarnishes image of the state or any person, it will be considered a crime-- stipulates Section 57.
The law minister said the incumbent government wants to ensure the freedom of speech of the people. Those who will try to create chaos in the name of freedom of expression will by punished, he said.
About the recent killing of some bogglers, the minister said the government have arrested all the criminals responsible for the crime. The government doesnt compromise with any criminal, said the minister.
Also present, State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Junaid Ahmed Palak said the number of internet users in the country now stands at 4.57 crore which was less than 10 lakh in 2008.
He divulged the number to emphasis on the necessity of formulating the law to combat cyber crimes which are ever increasing with the passage of time.
To tackle the cyber crimes, we need a time befitting law, said Palak.
