Minister warns of shutting down YouTube, Facebook in Bangladesh for spreading rumours

The government may shut down social media platforms YouTube and Facebook if it finds it necessary to tackle spread of rumours and cyber crimes, the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order has issued warnings.

"These social media platforms do not take action against rumours and cyber crimes despite complaints from the government," committee chief and Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque told reporters at a press briefing after a meeting on Sunday.

"As Facebook and YouTube do not have offices in Bangladesh, they do not listen to our recommendations and instructions," he said.

He noted that according to the provisions of the law on social media, if any complaint is received, there has to be an investigation into it and action needs to be taken. "But they are not investigating our complaints and taking action."

"These social media platforms do not take action against rumours and cyber crimes despite complaints from the government"

Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque

The minister said, "We will prove their negligence in front of everyone. If necessary, they will be closed for some time."

But before that, the government will inform the international organisations concerned that the social platforms are perpetuating cybercrime and rumours without taking proper notice of complaints lodged by Bangladesh, said the minister.

In addition, the platforms will be asked to take government complaints into consideration.

"If necessary, we will also print advertisements in newspapers so that the people around the world do not think that any fundamental right is being violated here," Mozammel said.