Minister wants FB to demand NID for opening accounts

Post and Telecommunication Minister Mostafa Jabbar have asked Facebook authorities to demand additional identifica-tion, including National Identification Card (NID) or mobile phone numbers from Bangladeshis in a bid to prevent the use of fake identities on the social networking platform.

He made the demand during a courtesy call with Facebook's Bangladesh Affairs Officer Suzana Sarwar at his office at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Tuesday.

During the meeting, Minister Jabbar said Facebook is working as a personal website or news media. Besides, in some cases, its misuse, including publishing false information and spreading rumours, is creating a dangerously unstable situation.

“This volatility is a big challenge not only for the society or the state but also for Facebook.”

He urged Facebook authorities to prevent the use of fake identities to tackle the challenge. In addition, he called on the social media platform to adhere to Bangladeshi laws and regulation.

The telecommunication minister also requested Facebook not to publish falsehoods and rumours or disinformation that disturbs the national, social and personal security, or tarnishes the dignity of the country.

“Apart from creating chaos in the society by using fake Facebook IDs, some people are being deceived by a group of fraud-sters.”

Moreover, he asked the social media platform to refrain from promoting terrorism, militancy, sectarianism, treason, por-nography, gambling and information that goes against the socio-cultural values of Bangladesh.

During the meeting, he also highlighted the need for Facebook to pay more attention to the report sent to it by the Bangla-desh Telecommunication Regulatory Communication to stop the spread of harmful content.

He said complaints sent by various institutions including intelligence agencies are verified by BTRC and sent to Facebook for action. It is imperative that Facebook authorities increase the rate of complaint disposal by taking urgent action.

Facebook is one of the most popular social networking platforms in Bangladesh.

Minister Jabbar said, “Bangladesh is a big market for Facebook. As part of the Digital Bangladesh plan, a strong telecom-munication infrastructure including the internet has been developed across the country. Like other countries in the world, Facebook has an opportunity to invest in Bangladesh.”

In response to the minister’s requests, Suzana Sarwar said, “The policies and laws of other countries differ a lot from the situation in Bangladesh. We are wary of harmful content. Any regulation must take into account the personal safety of people.

“We have been repeatedly told by the government to be aware of risky contents. We have taken measures in that light. Facebook will take necessary measures in the future.”