DHAKA, July 30, 2026 (TNB) – The government plans to amend the Cyber Protection Act 2026 just three months after its enactment, introducing stricter provisions and harsher penalties for spreading rumors and disinformation, official sources said.

Sources in the Home Ministry and the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division confirmed that the proposed amendments introduce four specific offences: rumors, disinformation, disparagement and defamation.

The revised draft also empowers the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting alongside law enforcement agencies and other bodies like the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC) to enforce the law. Officials expect Parliament to pass the bill in its next session.

The draft inserts a new section, 26A, making the publication or dissemination of rumors and disinformation in cyberspace a punishable offence. Offenders will face up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to Tk40 lakh, or both.

The draft defines a rumor as unconfirmed or unverified information, news or claims that create or risk creating confusion, panic, excitement or social instability. It defines disinformation as false, distorted or misleading information published or spread intentionally to deceive, misguide or harm individuals, the public, institutions or the state.

Policy makers stated that they are incorporating severe penalties to combat malicious campaigns using artificial intelligence (AI) to generate fake videos, audio and misleading images.

Modifications to Section 25 add “defamation” and “disparagement” as punishable offences. Under this section, publishing or spreading information, audio, video, graphics or AI-generated content to defame or disparage anyone will carry up to five years in prison, a fine of up to Tk20 lakh, or both. If the offence targets a woman or a minor under 18, the penalty increases to a maximum of 10 years in prison or a fine of up to Tk40 lakh.

A senior Home Ministry official said that miscreants regularly spread rumors and disinformation against top government officials, political leaders and professionals on social media, damaging the image of the government and the country.

However, tech experts and legal analysts warned that the government risks reverting to the controversial Digital Security Act era of the previous Awami League administration. Miraj Ahmed Chowdhury, managing director of Digitally Right, warned that passing the amended law will lead to widespread misuse and lower the ranking of Bangladesh on global online freedom indices.