Experts on Wednesday said that internet should be incorporated into Bangladesh鈥檚 constitution as a fundamental right to protect the countrymen鈥檚 freedom and ensure data security.
They made the remark at a discussion titled 鈥業nclusion of Internet in the constitution for fundamental rights and Data Security鈥�, organised by the Bangladesh Mobile Phone Consumer Association at the Dhaka Reporters Unity in the capital Dhaka.
The speakers noted that both daily activities and the country鈥檚 economy now heavily depended on the internet. For this reason, they argued, it is necessary to establish internet access as a constitutional right to safeguard data security in Bangladesh.
Mohiuddin Ahmed, president of the BMPCA, said, 鈥業nternet services are recognised as fundamental rights by the United Nations International Telecommunication Union.鈥�
He added, 鈥楳obile and broadband internet services were shut down amid student-led protests in July, causing immense losses to the economy and daily life. Incorporating internet access as a fundamental right in the constitution would prevent such disruptions in the future.鈥�
During the July protests, the former Awami League-led government suspended internet services and restricted access to social media platforms in multiple phases.
The BMPCA president also pointed out, 鈥楢rticle 43 (b) of the constitution states that there shall be a right to privacy of correspondence through letters and other means of communication. However, state institutions previously failed to ensure the security of citizens鈥� information.鈥�
He further explained, 鈥楽ince letter exchanges are no longer common, it is crucial to explicitly include citizen data protection in the constitution to safeguard personal information.鈥�
The discussion highlighted that the internet was no longer just a tool for communication or entertainment. It has been recognised as a fundamental human right in several countries worldwide.
Former BASIS president Fahim Mashrur said, 鈥楢ll kinds of work now rely on internet services. To make internet access more affordable, the state must be held accountable and unnecessary regulations must be removed to protect citizens鈥� data.鈥�
Aminul Hakim, president of the International Internet Gateway Association of Bangladesh, stated, 鈥業nternet services are essential for ensuring other fundamental rights as well. At the same time, we must protect personal data. We need to submit a proposal to the government and advocate for this inclusion.鈥�
Cybersecurity analyst Tanvir Hasan Joha and other experts were also present at the programme.