BTRC urges FB to remove militancy videos
STAFF REPORTER
Bangladesh Telecommuni-cation Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has taken initiative to remove some videos from Facebook that are instigating Bangladeshi youths to involve in militant activities. BTRC authorities said the home ministry has asked them to get removed videos of some speeches that are provoking youths to get involved in extremism in the country. They have already requested the Facebook authorities to help them in removing these videos.
The videos include speeches of three persons -- Jasim Uddin Rahmani who is currently in police custody in connection with militant activities, Tarique Monowar and Abdur Razzaque Bin Yousuf that were found to be encouraging militancy.
Some youths detained recently in connection with militant activities admitted to the police that they were inspired by the speeches of Jasim Uddin Rahmani, said police sources. Talking to the Independent yesterday, BTRC Secretary Sarwar Alam said, Yes, the home ministry has asked us to remove such videos from Facebook to prevent youths from getting involved in extremism. In last April, Facebook, for the first time, responded to requests of Bangladesh government for providing users information. Facebook authorities provided some data related to 16.67 percent of requests made by the government between July and December 2015. Bangladesh government had made 12 requests seeking information over 31 Facebook users in the second half of 2015. The site also restricted four contents following requests made by the Bangladesh government.
