Cybercrime policies/strategies
Bangladesh does not have any officially recognized national cybercrime policies/strategies.
However, the Government of Bangladesh framed the National Cybersecurity Strategy of Bangladesh for protecting cyber world against security threats, risks and challenges to national security. The Strategy addresses the country’s national security strategy. The purpose of this document is to create a coherent vision for 2021 keeping Bangladesh secure and prosperous by coordinating government, private sector, citizens and international cyberspace defense efforts.
The Government of Bangladesh also framed National ICT Policy 2009.
Cybercrime legislation
State of cybercrime legislation
There are adequate laws concerning cybercrime in Bangladesh but there is no efficient enforcement. Laws relating cybercrime are Information and Communication Technology Act, 2006, Bangladesh the Penal Code, 1860 , The Pornography Control Act, 2012 pg.16), and the Bangladesh Telecommunication Act, 2001. Bangladesh Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act, 2006 amended in the year of 2009 & 2013 defines and amends certain parts of law relating to legal recognition and security of information and communication technology and related matters. According to the ICT Act the cybercrime shall be treated as non-cognizable offence.
Digital Security Act 2018 includes some provisions regarding cybercrime.
Substantive law
Bangladesh Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act, 2006 and the Digital Security Act 2018 are the main substantive law of cybercrimes.
Bangladesh Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act, 2006 :
Chapter Eight Sections 54 to 67 of the ICT Act 2006 describe the cybercrimes in both civil and criminal matters. As per the said provisions, the following shall be treated as crime: unauthorized copying, extracting and downloading of any data, database, introduction of virus, damage and disruption to computer system and computer network, denial of access to authorized person to computer, providing assistance to make possible to commit to crime, hacking with computer system, tampering computer source documents, electronic forgery for the purpose of cheating and harming reputation, using a forged Electronic record, publication of digital signature certificate for fraudulent purpose, confiscation of computer, network etc., publication of information which is obscene in electronic form, misrepresentation and suppressing material facts for obtaining digital signature certificate, breach of confidentiality and privacy, publishing false digital signature certificate.
Digital Security Act 2018 includes provisions on: definitions of computer system, illegal entrance, etc; illegal access (art. 18), electronic fraud (art. 23), search and seizure (art. 42), data preservation (art. 44).
Procedural law
The main general framework available to all cybercrime investigations is embodied in the Bangladesh Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act as also Bangladesh Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, and Bangladesh Evidence Act, 1872. Some procedures are included in the Digital Security Act 2018 – search and seizure with and without warrant.
Safeguards
General rules and safeguards apply.
There are no particular rules for cybercrimes but the normal safeguards given in Bangladesh Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act as also Bangladesh Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, and Bangladesh Evidence Act, 1872 and rules and regulations made there under the Constitution apply, if fundamental rights are in danger or violated.
Specialised institutions
Chapter Eight of the ICT Act creates a Cyber Tribunal & Cyber Appellate Tribunal to adjudicate of cybercrimes.
There are some Cybercrime prevention agencies like The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), Bangladesh Computer Security Incident Response Team (bdCERT) have been set up for the purpose of curbing cybercrimes.
Bangladesh has also set up various specialized cybercrime police stations. Cyber incident response unit and ‘a cybercrime investigation cell’ and ‘IT Crime Forensic Lab’ are set up by the Bangladesh police to fight against cybercrime or crime related with computer and other IT technology.
In the Digital Security Act 2018, a Digital Security Agency is established, in order to ensure the fulfilling of the Act.
International cooperation
Jurisprudence/case law
Sources and links
- Bangladesh the Penal Code, 1860
- Bangladesh Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act, 2006
- Bangladesh Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898
- Cyber Tribunal & Cyber Appellate Tribunal
- Cyber incident response unit’ and ‘a cyber crime investigation cell’ & ‘IT Crime Forensic Lab’ is set up by the Bangladesh police
- Bangladesh Computer Emergency Response Team (bdCERT)
- APCERT
- Digital Security Act 2018
These profiles do not necessarily reflect official positions of the States covered or of the Council of Europe.
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- Cybercrime website
- Template: Mutual Legal Assistance Request for subscriber information (Art. 31 Budapest Convention). English and bilingual versions available.
- Template: Data Preservation Request (Articles 29 and 30 Budapest Convention). English and bilingual versions available.