NTMC moves to strengthen systems for filtering anti-government online content

The purchase under Global Brand contract will cost Tk 949.05 million, according to authorities

Bangladesh’s National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC) is moving to expand its capacity to block and filter online content, including social media posts and websites deemed to carry anti-government propaganda, amid renewed scrutiny of the agency’s surveillance role and criticism over alleged monitoring of citizens’ private communications under previous governments.

The decision came at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase on Wednesday, which approved a procurement proposal titled “Expansion of Content Blocking and Filtering System (Phase-1)” for the agency, according to the finance ministry.

The ministry said the project will be implemented under a contract with supplier Global Brand, involving equipment and services sourced from different international brands, at a cost of Tk 949.05 million.

However, the official meeting documents did not specify what exact products or systems would be procured under the deal.

The NTMC has long operated a content blocking and filtering system aimed at restricting “content” and propaganda considered anti-state or anti-government, a function it has carried out since its inception.

In 2019, reports citing NTMC statements said the agency would soon be able to rapidly block anti-government propaganda and other illegal online content, as part of an expanding content filtering framework that is now being implemented.

Following the political changeover after the fall of the Awami League government, the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus had taken steps to dissolve the NTMC, citing concerns over its controversial activities during the July Uprising, including internet shutdowns.

The interim government issued the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026 on Feb 5.

The ordinance provided for the dissolution of the NTMC and the creation of a new body called the Centre for Information Support (CIS) in its place.

However, following the change in government, the NTMC has not yet been formally dissolved.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding its future, approval has now been granted to enhance the agency’s technical capabilities through new procurement.

On Wednesday, the cabinet committee also approved the purchase of 1 million litres of refined rice bran oil and 1 million litres of refined palm olein, both packaged in two-litre bottles, alongside the procurement of 20,000 tonnes of lentils.