At least 1500 Facebook IDs were taken down in the last 20 days on allegations that those IDs were reportedly being used to spread extremist ideologies, hate speech, distorted imagery and incitement.

Agencies, which monitor cyber activities, have found a number of fake IDs under the names of prominent personalities and political leaders. After identifying the fake profiles, which were used to spread misinformation, Facebook authorities were handed the evidence and they took the IDs down.

Responding to queries on the matter, Posts, Telecoms & Information Technology Minister Mustafa Jabbar told Bangla Tribune, “We were able to have those IDs taken down recently.”

He also said those IDs were used to spread misinformation.

“Some of those ID were operated by militants,” he added.

Speaking on the government's relation with Facebook, the minister said, “Our relationship with the Facebook authorities have improved and they take our concerns seriously.”

Terming this as a big achievement, Jabbar added that several more IDs have been identified and the cyber teams are working day and night.

Implementation of a Cyber Security Monitoring Project under the Department of Telecom (DOT) of the posts, telecoms & information technology has been completed halfway, say people familiar with the matter.

This project is allowing the authorities to monitor the social media better, they added.

Besides the cyber monitoring units of the state-run agencies, the ruling Awami League has its own IT monitoring cell.

During the recently concluded national polls, the government formed a ‘Social Media Monitoring Cell’, which is still active. Other than that, the law enforcing agencies, telecommunications regulatory agency, BTRC, National Telecom Monitoring Cell (NTMC) are now more active than before; which have made it easier to identify social media IDs, used for malicious intent.