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The state minister for ICT blames ‘provocations’ on social media for deaths during the ongoing quota reform movement
Published : 18 Jul 2024, 02:50 PM
State minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak says mobile internet services have been restricted to limit the spread of rumours and calm the tumultuous situation amid the ongoing quota reform movement.
Blaming ‘provocations’ on social media for deaths during the protests, he said the government would not be lenient to any multinational companies such as Facebook, YouTube, Google and TikTok that stir up misinformation that can cause further deaths in the future.
On Wednesday, the mobile internet speed across the country slowed down after fierce clashes between the anti-quota protesters, Chhatra League activists and police. Mobile internet customers were unable to get data services on Thursday too.
“The decision was taken after taking everything, including the current situation and intelligence reports, into consideration,” Palak told the media at an event in Dhaka.
“A group has taken to spreading misinformation using social media platforms as a tool to destabilise the country. Not only inside the country, some content was boosted from overseas. The analysis by intelligence and other data and information have detected tricks or conspiracies to spread misinformation to all through payments. As such, we decided to do what we can in our capacity for the interest of the people and the state’s safety.”
Palak said, “As law enforcing agencies are trying to maintain security, we are trying to ensure cyber safety. We are trying to contribute with proper action as needed in the sector.”
The state minister urged his countrymen to cooperate with patience on the matter, warning that there be some damage and suffering due to the temporary disruption of services.
Palak says he expects the situation will improve shortly.
