DHAKA — A draft ordinance proposes up to two years in prison and a fine of up to 1.5 crore taka (about $12.3 million) for sending obscene or offensive messages by phone, and even fines for repeatedly calling and harassing someone, officials said.
The Posts and Telecommunications Division released the draft Bangladesh Telecommunications Amendment Ordinance 2025 on Wednesday. The draft is open on the division’s website for public and stakeholder comment.
Under section 70 of the ordinance, repeatedly calling and disturbing someone without reasonable cause would be a punishable offense, carrying a fine of 1 lakh taka or six months in prison in default. Section 69 says sending obscene, threatening, insulting or offensive messages, images or videos through telecommunications or wireless devices could draw up to two years in prison, a fine of up to 1.5 crore taka, or both. For serious offenses, the maximum prison term rises to five years.
Illegal wiretapping would carry up to two years in prison or a 1.5 crore taka fine, the draft says.
Under the draft, internet-based services including OTT platforms, social media, online messaging and video streaming apps would all require government approval. Such companies would have to register in Bangladesh and supply information to security agencies when required.
A new Bangladesh Telecommunications Commission would be formed as an independent regulator, with responsibility for licensing, policymaking, spectrum allocation and technical standards. The five-member commission would include a chairman and a vice chairman.
The draft says operating a telecom service or foreign OTT platform without permission would be a punishable offense. The government could suspend or shut down any platform when necessary for national security or public order.
Comments on the ordinance can be sent until Nov. 15 by email or post to the secretary of the Posts and Telecommunications Division, Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka, officials said.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report