Govt ‘working’ to stop spread of rumours online

The government has moved to develop content filtering system to prevent rumours spreading through different social media, says Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar.

The minister made the statement at an event in Dhaka on Monday.

The disclosure comes on the heels of rumours spreading through Facebook, that allegedly sparked violent clashes between student protesters demanding road safety and Awami League activists in front of the party president’s offices in Dhanmondi on Saturday.

“Right now, we have no content filtering system on social media such as Facebook,” the minister said in replying to question.

At present, he said, we can only make requests to Facebook.

“Facebook maintains community standards in line with the American law. We are in close contact with Facebook, but it does not listen to our all requests.”

“That’s why, we have undertaken a project. It is a matter of digital security. Once the project is complete, we will be able to filter online content.”

In response to another question, he said, “It has been on the table for a long time. Concerted efforts are necessary to implement the project.”

Defending the recent internet shutdown, Jabbar said, “The government can take any step to ensure security of the state or the people in any situation.”  

Source: bdnews24