Facebook appoints Sabhanaz Rashid Diya as public policy manager for Bangladesh

Facebook Inc has employed a Bangla-speaking Bangladeshi to administer Bangladeshi content and swiftly resolve any related issues which may occur on the social media utility.

The decision to appoint Sabhanaz Rashid Diya as the public policy manager for Bangladeshi content was announced at a virtual meeting from Facebook’s regional headquarter in Singapore on Monday, Post and Telecommunication Minister Mustafa Jabbar said.

“We can communicate with her very easily and get responses very quickly due to the appointment of a Bangla-speaking official for Bangladesh,” the minister said.

In the three-hour meeting, they discussed issues including hassle-free content evaluation without the involvement of a third party in case there is a complaint from Bangladesh, Jabbar added.

The government, according to him, told Facebook authorities that they need to understand that the complaints are being lodged by the state, not individuals.

“Bangladesh has its laws and we have to shape Facebook contents and other things according to those laws. The Facebook authorities have assured us that they will seriously look into these matters.”

“It is Facebook’s responsibility to adhere to all conventional Bangladesh laws and rules-regulations, including the Digital Security Act. Special emphasis was put upon appointing resellers, representatives to pay taxes to the National Revenue Board and the need for accurate translation and application of the Bangla language.”

The telecommunication minister also shed light on Facebook's stand regarding VAT.

“The members of the National Revenue were present there. The Facebook authorities a direct method to solve the matter [VAT] without establishing an office here,” he said.

Jabbar was asked whether there had any discussion regarding Tk 9.3 million tax evasion complaints against Httpool Bangladesh Limited, a Facebook-approved sales partner in Bangladesh.

“They said it was Httpool’s issue which they will have to solve since they are not a part of Facebook.”

VAT Audit, Intelligence & Investigation Directorate lodged the case against Httpool on Aug 13.

The telecom minister called upon Facebook authorities to follow Bangladesh’s laws on violence, pornography, terrorism, rumours, question paper leaks, safe use of social media and other issues.

He assured Facebook officials of transparency on Bangladesh’s part. For this, the government will meet at least once every month with Facebook Inc and Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission or BTRC.