Facebook is one of the most popular social media platforms in the world, with over 2.9 billion monthly active users as of the second quarter of 2022. However, Facebook’s availability and accessibility vary from country to country due to government restrictions and bans.
Facebook in Bangladesh – An Overview
Facebook is currently allowed and accessible in Bangladesh. It has millions of users in the country who actively use it for social networking and communication purposes. According to statistics from 2021, Bangladesh had around 32 million Facebook users, making it the 8th largest market for Facebook in Asia.
Facebook first became available in Bangladesh in 2007-2008 and slowly gained popularity in the following years. Internet penetration and smartphone adoption have played a key role in Facebook’s growth in the country. Bangladesh had over 120 million internet users as of January 2022, most of whom access the internet through mobile devices.
The Facebook website and mobile app work seamlessly in Bangladesh without any major restrictions. Bangladeshis can sign up for Facebook, create profiles, connect with friends and family, share updates, photos, and videos, join groups, follow pages, and use all the standard features and services freely. Facebook-owned apps like Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp are also freely available in the country.
Regulations on Facebook in Bangladesh
While Facebook is allowed in Bangladesh, there are some regulations and monitoring of content by the government.
- In 2010, Bangladesh introduced its Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act which imposed certain restrictions on online content and speech. Section 57 of the ICT Act banned publishing or transmitting any material that is false or offensive, with “deceptive ideas” or that can “hurt religious beliefs”. This law covered content on social media platforms like Facebook too.
- In 2013, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) banned the sharing of any “provocative” political or religious content on social media ahead of the general elections. This temporary ban was lifted after the elections.
- The government occasionally blocks access to Facebook and other social media platforms to restrict the spread of misinformation during politically sensitive times like elections, protests or controversies. These blocks are temporary in nature.
- Law enforcement agencies monitor social media activity and content sharing closely. People can be arrested under the ICT Act for posts deemed inappropriate.
- Facebook has complied with takedown requests from the Bangladesh government for content found objectionable or unlawful.
Despite these limitations, Bangladesh has not imposed an outright, permanent ban on Facebook. The platform remains active and popular for daily social networking and communication needs of millions of Bangladeshis.
Reasons Facebook Remains Available in Bangladesh
Here are some of the key reasons why an outright ban on Facebook has not been implemented in Bangladesh:
- Widespread adoption: Facebook has millions of users in Bangladesh who rely on it for social networking and communications. A ban would impact a large user base adversely.
- Economic reasons: Facebook and its family of apps generate employment, marketing opportunities and revenue for many Bangladeshis. Banning it would hurt these economic prospects.
- Freedom of speech: While regulated, a complete Facebook ban would be seen as curbing the constitutional right to freedom of speech and expression for citizens.
- Political communication: Social media including Facebook has become an important platform for political parties and leaders to communicate and campaign during elections in Bangladesh.
- Business impact: Thousands of businesses and entrepreneurs in Bangladesh use Facebook for marketing, advertising and connecting with customers. Banning it would impact them negatively.
- Technological limitations: It is difficult to fully enforce a Facebook ban given the proliferation of VPNs and proxies which allow access despite restrictions.
A cost-benefit analysis seems to have led Bangladeshi authorities to regulate and monitor Facebook judiciously based on context, rather than resort to an outright permanent ban given its widespread use and economic and political significance.
Examples of Countries That Have Banned Facebook
Despite being allowed in Bangladesh, Facebook does face complete bans and restrictions in some other Asian countries. Here are a few examples:
| Country | Facebook Status |
|---|---|
| China | Complete ban since 2009 |
| North Korea | Accessible only to some elites |
| Iran | Banned at times during protests and elections |
| Myanmar | Temporarily banned during 2021 coup |
These bans have been implemented through technical blocks at the network level in the respective countries. However, users sometimes circumvent the restrictions using VPN services.
Should Bangladesh Ban Facebook? Arguments For and Against
There are arguments both for and against banning Facebook in Bangladesh made by experts, policymakers, and civil society groups in the country:
Arguments For Banning Facebook
- Stop the spread of misinformation, fake news and rumors
- Reduce inflammatory, divisive, and dangerous speech
- Protect religious sentiments from being hurt
- Uphold public decency standards and cultural values
- Reduce political polarization and extremism
- Promote use of local social networks and apps instead
Arguments Against Banning Facebook
- Violates freedom of speech and expression
- Difficult to enforce technologically
- Adversely impacts businesses, marketing, and youth
- Reduces competitiveness compared to other nations
- Controlling hate speech better than blocking access
- Easier to monitor activities if allowed rather than banned
There are merits to both sides of the debate. However, the Bangladesh government has so far resisted calls for a blanket Facebook ban given its widespread use and relied on regulating content instead.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Facebook remains freely accessible and widely used in Bangladesh unlike some of its neighbors. However, the government does censor certain types of content under local laws or restricts access temporarily for law and order reasons. Overall, Bangladesh has taken a pragmatic approach balancing economic and social realities with the need for regulation. An outright ban seems unlikely given Facebook’s entrenched position in the country’s digital ecosystem. However, if misinformation and illegal content become rampant, calls for a ban may grow louder in the future.