Bangladesh ICT Minister Addresses Internet Shutdowns in Parliament
The ICT Minister addressed the impacts of recent internet shutdowns at the National Parliament in Dhaka. Proceedings are ongoing regarding the directives to shut down internet services.
On September 6, 2024, discussions regarding internet shutdowns and their far-reaching impacts took place at the National Parliament located in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The session addressed the critical disruptions experienced by the public and various economic sectors during periods when connectivity was entirely suspended across the nation.
According to the verified official record, complete internet service shutdowns were enforced across the country during two specific periods in 2024. The first total blackout occurred from July 18 to July 23, while the second interruption took place on August 5, lasting from the morning until the afternoon.
These prolonged disruptions to internet services had severe negative consequences for multiple vital sectors of the economy. Specifically, the shutdowns heavily impacted online businesses, e-commerce operations, ticketing systems, online banking services, and mobile financial transactions throughout the country.
Furthermore, the parliamentary discussions touched upon the broader context of accountability for these technological blackouts. It was noted that more than one million Bangladeshis currently residing abroad are affected by these developments, as judicial proceedings are actively underway at the International Crimes Tribunal.
The ongoing legal proceedings at the International Crimes Tribunal are specifically focused on investigating and addressing those responsible for issuing the directives that shut down internet services, as well as individuals linked to the genocide that occurred during the July and August events.
