Section 57 to be dropped from ICT Act

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq yesterday said section 57 of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act would be removed.

A new “Digital Security Act is in the pipeline”. This law would explain section 57 and prove that the government has no intent to curb the right to freedom of speech, he said.

The minister was speaking as the chief guest at a programme at Shilpakala Academy yesterday. Children's organisation Khelaghar organised the event to mark its 65th founding anniversary, according to a press release. The event also had a ceremony for giving the Journalist Bazlur Rahman Memorial Award.

Anisul said the draft of the “Digital Security Act” was with his ministry for vetting. He said his ministry would start scheduling meetings with officials of ministries concerned to plug loopholes in the draft.