The government is set to introduce a new law titled the “Cyber Security Act 2026” to prevent the misuse of fake identities and Artificial Intelligence (AI) on social media.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed informed Parliament on Monday that under this legislation, international tech platforms such as Meta will be compelled to remove harmful content within a specified timeframe.
Salahuddin further announced that the government is replacing the antiquated Public Gambling Act of 1867 with a modern law to tackle both online and offline gambling.
Additionally, legal provisions are being drafted to empower Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) officials with firearms for self-defence and the authority to maintain dog squads.
He made the remarks in response to a notice under Rule 71 raised by lawmaker Helen Zerin Khan. The session was presided over by Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal.
Redefining cyber space
MP Helen Zerin Khan’s notice sought government intervention against bot-controlled accounts and the misuse of AI-generated images and videos. Responding to the notice, the Home Minister stated that the government has commenced drafting legal reforms to redefine “cyber space.”
“We have observed defamatory content being spread about the head of government, important political figures, and their families under the guise of freedom of expression,” Salahuddin said, suggesting that the definition of such freedom needs re-evaluation.
The proposed ‘Cyber Security Act 2026’ aims to redefine rumours, misinformation, and defamation, while introducing new categories of punishment for the spread of misleading or offensive AI-generated content.
Compelling Tech Giants Addressing a supplementary question from MP Khan regarding the lack of responsiveness from Meta (Facebook) authorities, the Home Minister cited examples of neighbouring countries where legal frameworks have successfully forced tech platforms to take action.
“Our BTRC or existing cyber laws currently lack such provisions. We will increase coordination with international platforms and include a legal requirement for content removal within a fixed time. Meta or X (formerly Twitter) will then be obliged to comply,” he added.
Modernising narcotics and gambling laws
Salahuddin highlighted that the government is moving away from British-era legislation to better address contemporary social crimes. He expressed hope that a new gambling prevention law would be introduced in the current session to curb betting and related drug offences.
Regarding the Department of Narcotics Control, Ahmed noted that while drug traffickers are often armed with sophisticated weapons, DNC officials currently lack firearms for self-defence.
The new Narcotics Control Act, which has already been drafted, intends to make the DNC a self-sufficient organisation by providing weapons, laboratory facilities, and dog squads.
Salahuddin concluded by requesting more time for the three-month-old government to fulfil public expectations. “Give us a little more time. You will see that by strengthening our legal frameworks, we will be capable of preventing all forms of anarchy and crime,” he said.
