Bangladesh’s telecom regulator has urged Meta to take urgent action to curb the spread of violence-inciting content on its platforms, warning that delays are contributing to instability during a sensitive political transition. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) sent a letter to senior Meta officials on Friday, including those overseeing Facebook, citing escalating unrest following a mass uprising.
According to the regulator, Bangladesh is experiencing a critical period marked by widespread violence, with reports indicating that more than 1,400 students have died and thousands have been injured. The country is currently under an interim government tasked with restoring order and preparing for national elections scheduled for February 2026.
The BTRC alleged that social media platforms, particularly Facebook, have been used to incite large-scale violence, intimidation, and calls to disrupt the electoral process. The letter highlighted recent incidents following the death of Usman Hadi, described as a key figure in the uprising, alongside attacks on media organisations.
The regulator said some individuals publicly endorsed the killing or called for violence against journalists and media institutions, actions that allegedly preceded vandalism and arson attacks on media houses including The Daily Star and Prothom Alo. These incidents, the BTRC said, have created fear and posed serious threats to press freedom.
Expressing concern over Meta’s response time, the commission said delays in removing or blocking such content have allowed further mobilisation and escalation of violence. It warned that unchecked circulation of such material threatens national stability, social harmony, minority safety, and media freedom.
The BTRC also noted that Meta does not maintain a local office in Bangladesh, adding that multiple urgent requests sent through official channels were not addressed in a timely manner. The regulator called on Meta to enforce its community standards more strictly for Bangladesh-related content, strengthen Bengali-language moderation, and act immediately on reports of violence-inciting material. It also urged heightened monitoring of related content until the completion of the upcoming national elections.
A similar letter was sent to Meta by the government-run National Cyber Security Agency.
