Dhaka — The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (BTRC) has asked Facebook and TikTok to remove objectionable content from their platforms, according to BTRC vice-chairman Subrata Roy Maitra who was speaking during a webinar.
While discussing the topic “Misuse of Information and Communication Technology: What Can Be Done to Prevent Trafficking of Women and Children,” the virtual program's speakers stated that tickling and liking require very little setup and skill.
According to experts, children from low-income and low-education families can easily access the world of cyber entertainment. Additionally, TikTok's reporting system does not separate pornography from other content, which anyone can upload.
The vice-chairman of BTRC stated in his speech that the company cannot shut down TikTok or Facebook even if it wanted to.
“We must educate the entire society about this. That is why we are considering hosting a workshop for parents focused on parental guides. Because parents are unaware of the issue of parental guides when they connect to the internet.”
Maitra stated at the time that BTRC would soon launch the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR). Which enables the user's identity to be deduced. One is not permitted to use another's set or SIM card.
Mohammad Shahidullah, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Tejgaon Zone, addressed the webinar as a special guest. “It is too late for us to recognise that women are trafficked through technology,” he stated.
“We assumed these enjoyable applications were available throughout the world. It is the same situation here. However, I later witnessed a group of young people using these apps to organise and commit crimes,” he added.
Sharing that a case was filed on Friday related to this, he said government's agencies are trying to address this challenge. However, he added, along with law enforcement agencies and the country's media, parents and particularly teenagers must be vigilant.
Salma Ali, President of the National Women Lawyers Association, journalist Shafiq Shaheen, Umme Wara, Assistant Professor at Dhaka University's Department of Criminology, and Sumon Ahmed Sabbir, Executive Council Member of the Asia Pacific Network Information Center, all spoke at the event.
