The Section 57 of the ICT Act, which critics say effectively muzzles free speech, will be abolished after the parliament passes the Digital Security bill, according to Telecoms and ICT Minister Mustafa Jabbar.
His remarks came on Saturday while addressing the inauguration of a debate programme in capital Dhaka.
However, the proceedings of cases already filed under the legal provision will continue.
“In Section 32 of the new law, the word ‘espionage’ won’t exist. The proposed law aims to prevent digital crimes, not to curb freedom of speech. After the passing of the bill, some other relevant acts might need amendments,” he said.
“The proposed law will not hinder reporting on corruption but violation of official secrecy will be a punishable offence. To reduce digital crimes, we need to create public awareness,” he said.
The proposed law does not aim to control social media but digital crimes. Digital security should be ensured by using technology, he added.
Jabbar said those who had spread rumors during the road safety protests were brought to justice with the help of technology.
He thanked the law enforcers as they had been able to bring the rumour mongers under trial by identifying IP addresses and mobile tracking.