The newly approved Cyber Security Ordinance, 2025 will come into effect later this week following final legal vetting, as confirmed by Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul during a press briefing on Tuesday at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka.
Speaking after a meeting of the council of advisers, Nazrul said that the ordinance will be implemented immediately upon publication in the official gazette.
It replaces the controversial Cyber Security Act, 2023 and excludes nine sections that were widely criticized for curbing freedom of speech and dissent.
“These nine sections, which were responsible for 95 percent of the previous government’s suppressive cases, have been repealed,” Nazrul said. “All pending cases under those sections will be automatically dismissed once the ordinance is gazetted.”
Among the repealed provisions are those related to the Liberation War, Bangabandhu, and national symbols such as the anthem and flag—clauses often used to intimidate critics.
The ordinance marks a significant shift in digital rights policy by formally recognizing internet access as a civic right. It also criminalizes online gambling and introduces strict penalties for cyber-based violence, especially targeting children and women.
Additionally, the dissemination of content involving sexual violence or religious hate that incites violence has been made a punishable offense. For the first time in South Asia, crimes committed using artificial intelligence have been classified as cyber offenses.
Nazrul also announced that the council of advisers approved two other ordinances: the Code of Civil Procedure (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 and one concerning electoral boundary demarcations.
Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain and Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam were also present at the briefing
