BTRC urges Meta to act against violence-inciting content amid unrest

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has urged Meta to take urgent action to prevent the misuse of its platforms for inciting violence and destabilising society amid ongoing political unrest in Bangladesh.

In a letter sent on Friday to senior Meta officials, including representatives responsible for Facebook, the telecom regulator said the country is passing through a critical period marked by violence following a mass uprising.

"We write to you during a critical period in Bangladesh, where ongoing political unrest has led to widespread violence and instability," the letter said.

In the wake of a mass uprising, where over 1,400 students have reportedly died and thousands more were injured, the country is in a fragile political transition, with an interim government working to restore order and prepare for credible national elections, the letter added.

The BTRC alleged that social media, "especially Facebook," has been used to incite "large-scale violence, intimidation, and calls for the disruption of the upcoming elections," which it said has contributed to real-world violence.

Referring to recent incidents, the regulator said the situation escalated following the death of Usman Hadi, described in the letter as a key figure in the uprising, alongside attacks on media institutions.

"Most alarmingly, in the name of Freedom of Expression, some individuals aligned with different ideologies publicly expressed approval of this death, while others openly called for violence against media institutions and journalists," the letter said.

The BTRC said these actions directly preceded the vandalism and arson of several installations, including two media houses—The Daily Star and Prothom Alo—creating widespread fear and posing grave threats to press freedom.

The regulator expressed concern over what it described as delays by Meta in removing or blocking such content.

"The amount of time being taken by Meta to take action… is creating an opportunity for further incitement and mobilisation of violence through those accounts," it said.

The letter warned that the unchecked circulation of violence-inciting content poses a direct threat to national stability, social harmony, media freedom, and the lives and safety of minority groups, adding that Meta's role is not merely technical—it is a matter of public responsibility.

The BTRC also pointed out that Meta does not have a local office in Bangladesh, saying that "multiple urgent requests sent through these formal channels did not receive timely responses, while violent content continued to circulate widely."

The commission urged Meta to take several steps, including enforcing community standards "in a stricter, faster, and more contextual manner for Bangladesh-related content," strengthening Bengali-language moderation, and ensuring "immediate action on reported content that incites violence."

It also called for heightened monitoring of Bangladesh-related content at least until the completion of the National Election scheduled for February 2026.

"This is a matter of national importance," the letter said, adding that the upcoming election is deeply tied to citizens' lives, democratic rights, minority safety, and long-term stability.