A significant portion of mobile internet users in Bangladesh are concerned about their online safety, yet personal awareness and proactive security measures remain low, according to a new regional survey conducted by Telenor, the parent company of Grameenphone. The findings were shared at an event in Dhaka, where Grameenphone unveiled the Bangladesh segment of Telenor’s ‘Digital Lives Decoded’ report, the third phase of the study conducted across Asia.
The survey, carried out in collaboration with research firm GWI, interviewed 1,000 Bangladeshi mobile internet users aged 16 to 64 between June 23 and July 13 last year. Similar surveys were conducted in Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The report revealed that 50% of Bangladeshi mobile internet users believe the government is responsible for ensuring online security, while one-third believe service providers should take responsibility. Personal awareness ranked third in importance.
The survey also found that 70% of people are concerned about online security. Among these, 42% are worried about identity fraud, while 40% are concerned about AI-generated deepfakes, with Gen Z and millennials being particularly anxious about deepfakes. Other concerns included financial fraud, data theft, malware, and network attacks.
Despite these concerns, the report highlighted that Bangladeshi internet users rely more on inbuilt website security rather than personal privacy protection tools. Seventy-five percent of users feel confident in their ability to protect personal information online, especially Gen Z and millennials.
However, Bangladesh lags behind countries like Singapore and Malaysia in online security practices. For instance, internet users in Bangladesh rarely unsubscribe from services, delete browsing history, reject website cookies, or use ad blockers, reflecting a lack of awareness about the risks of sharing personal information online.
Additionally, 56% of Bangladeshi respondents said they would allow companies access to their personal information in exchange for various offers, and 49% would allow social media apps to access their data for AI-generated photos or filters.
While there is concern about location tracking, many users in Bangladesh are still willing to accept technology-based conveniences. The use of AI is growing, especially on social media and in workplaces, with millennials leading the trend. However, 43% of respondents are worried about the misuse of personal information when using AI-powered smart devices, and there is concern about the decline in cognitive abilities due to AI reliance.
In terms of mobile phone benefits, the most frequently reported advantages included access to updated news and information, as well as the convenience of online education. Six out of ten people in Bangladesh cited online education as a major convenience, a higher rate than in Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.
Despite concerns, 52% of people in Bangladesh feel safe using a mobile phone, a figure higher than in Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia. Reasons for this confidence include the ability to share locations with friends and family, access help during emergencies, and the convenience of mobile transactions.
At the event, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) Vice Chairman Md. Abu Bakar Siddique emphasized that, in addition to providing connectivity, ensuring the safe and responsible use of mobile technology should be a collective priority.
Telenor Asia Senior Vice President Manisha Dogra presented the report, highlighting the potential to enhance digital services and advance digital literacy. Tanvir Mohammad, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Grameenphone, discussed the company’s efforts to provide essential digital skills and raise awareness about online safety. He stressed the importance of collective education on safe and responsible technology use.
The event was attended by Norwegian Ambassador Håkon Arald Gulbrandsen, along with officials from Telenor and Grameenphone.
