Bangladesh Resumes Mobile Internet After 10-Day; Facebook, TikTok representatives summoned on 31 July

Last Updated on July 28, 2024 7:16 pm

By Shabana Akter

Bangladesh has restored mobile internet services as of 3 PM today (28 July), ending a 10-day blackout that was triggered by violence during student protests over government job quotas. Despite the resumption, users are still unable to access YouTube on mobile networks, although it remains accessible via broadband.

Social media platforms, including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, continue to face restrictions. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has summoned representatives from Meta and TikTok to its office on 31 July to address compliance issues and discuss content management.

ICT Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak announced a 5GB internet bonus for all users, valid for the next three days, as compensation for the disruption. Palak explained that restoring the remaining data volumes from users’ expired packs would take additional time, prompting the decision to offer the bonus instead. He also expressed regret for the inconvenience caused by the extended outage.

Palak revealed that letters were sent to major social media platforms on 27 July, demanding their physical presence at the BTRC on 31 July. The letters outlined concerns over non-compliance with local laws, particularly regarding the removal of controversial content. He criticized the platforms for inadequate content moderation and stated that while extremist pages remain active, many pages associated with the Awami League were taken down.

Regarding the cause of the blackout, Palak reiterated that the internet disruption was not intentional but a consequence of fires at three data centers and damage to extensive network cables. These incidents resulted in substantial losses, estimated at Tk500 crore for the telecom sector alone. The fires, which occurred on 18 July, affected critical infrastructure in Dhaka and led to a nationwide broadband shutdown.

The BTRC Chairman, Engineer Md Mohiuddin Ahmed, noted that about 4,000 cache servers are being restored, with Google services having been partially reinstated since Thursday. However, full access to Meta platforms and TikTok might take longer as the government seeks to ensure adherence to local regulations.

In light of the unprecedented blackout, the Bangladesh Mobile Phone Consumers’ Association has called for an independent inquiry into the causes of the disruption, challenging the government’s narrative that infrastructure damage alone was to blame.

As the situation evolves, users are advised to stay updated on the restoration of services and the outcomes of the forthcoming meetings with social media representatives.

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