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Bangladesh weighs tougher cyber law as AI-generated abuse targets women

Illustration: Bangladesh weighs tougher cyber law as AI-generated abuse targets women
AI-generated illustration

Bangladesh’s government is working on changes to its cyber legislation that would introduce stricter penalties for online abuse involving artificial intelligence. The proposed amendments have prompted significant pushback from journalists, legal professionals, and civil society organisations, who argue that some clauses could be used to suppress legitimate speech.

What the proposed law would do

The ICT Division released a draft amendment to the Cyber Protection Act for public comment in mid-September 2026. A five-member cabinet committee is currently reviewing it. Among the key changes the draft proposes:

  • Explicitly naming AI-generated content within the section of the law that covers harassment, blackmail, revenge pornography and related offences
  • Raising the maximum sentence for relevant offences to five years in prison and a fine of approximately USD 16,000, with penalties doubling when the victim is a woman or a minor
  • Creating a new provision that would punish the spread of unverified information deemed likely to cause confusion or social instability, carrying a sentence of up to ten years

Officials have said the tougher measures are intended to respond to a surge in synthetic media, including deepfake videos and fabricated images that circulated widely during and after the February 2026 general election. A study identified 72 AI-manipulated items that gained significant online traction during that period, with women in politics among the most frequent targets.

Concerns about misuse and a pattern of past abuses

Critics, including Transparency International Bangladesh and several international press freedom organisations, warn that vague terms such as “rumour” and “demeaning” in the draft could allow authorities to pursue journalists or critics rather than bad actors. They note that Bangladesh has repeatedly repackaged restrictive online speech laws under new names. Earlier legislation, including the Digital Security Act, was used to file more than 7,000 cases before it was eventually revised, and one writer died in custody under its provisions.

The harm facing women online is well documented. A 2024 survey found that nearly 89 percent of women who use social media in Bangladesh reported experiencing online violence at least once. Police data show tens of thousands of women have sought help through a dedicated cyber support unit.

The cabinet committee has not yet finalised the draft, which would need to pass through parliament before becoming law. Civil society groups are calling for the current version to be withdrawn and for a new round of public consultation lasting at least 30 days.

This article is adapted from “Bangladesh weighs tougher cyber law as AI-generated abuse targets women” published by Global Voices, licensed under CC BY 3.0. Changes were made. Read the original story at the link above.

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