Cyber crimes are also rising with the massive advancement of information and communications technology. Its unethical use has become cause of social decay in different fields. The trained cyber criminals are continuing their misdeeds by utilizing proxy keeping own identity concealed. Besides, although popular communications media of facebook and twitter cooperate with us socially they are becoming boomerang for many because of some dishonest people. In certain cases, abuse of these social media affects personal lives of many severely. In many cases, the victims prefer the way of committing suicide. Family relations also break up. At present, those who are involved in fundamentalist and militant activities at different places of the world including Bangladesh, are using these popular media for communications. These alarming message was incorporated in a working paper presented at the 17th meeting of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission or BTRC held recently. The paper was presented by BTRC vice chairman Brig. General Mohammad Ahsan Habib Khan (Retd). According to informed circle, beyond the information reaching the media, such misdeeds are going on in massive scale. Ordinary victims’ allegations do not get due attention of those who are engaged in combating this crime. They are busy more with important personalities and establishments of the state. Again, there is no significant momentum in the steps to contain this crime. Moreover, there is no coordination of government’s one organisation with the other in this regard. Recently, National Computer Incident Response Team has been formed from Information and Communications Division, Their internal training has already started. Law enforcers are also working on the same issue. BTRC officials think that they are empowered in respect of this matter. Two years ago, BTRC through a special meeting of the commission formed Bangladesh Cyber Security Incident Response Team or ‘BD start’. It has become urgent to set up Admin panel of Bangladesh facebook and google to control cyber crime. BTRTC itself wants to do this job. Recently, it was alleged that the question papers of primary school certificate examinations were leaked through facebook. Widespread attack and arson took place on Bouddhabihar and the localities at Ramu in Cox’s Bazar on September 29, 2012 over tagging of controversial picture in facebook. In a sequel to this, attackers launched destruction at ancient Bouddhabihers of Chittagong. After the killing of Shahbagh ganojagoron Mancha activist Rajeev propaganda was launched in Basherkella and Nurani chapa blogs on facebook page calling him an atheist. Religions tension was allegedly fomented publishing these comments in a few newspaper. Cyber Crimes Tribunal Judge AKM Shamsul Islam on September 24 sentenced Tanmoy Mallick of Surkathi village under Dakop upazila in Khulna for making song satiring Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The court verdict also fined him Tk 10 thousand, in default imprisonment for six months more. This was the first sentence to any accused in a case under Information and Communication Technology Act within eight months of the formation of cyber tribunal. Speaking at a seminar on cyber crime and enforcement of Information Communication Technology Act, police said such crimes have doubled in last one year. In many cases, police cannot cope with the advanced technology of the offenders. Police cannot take action sometimes as the affected persons do not file any complaint. DMP Commissioner Benazir Ahmed told the seminar that the time of curbing crimes using traditional method is over. The offenders are resorting to new and modern technologies. A section of criminals are instructing their members as to the formula of making bombs. They are asking their cohorts to carry out attack on targeted persons and place. Even Prime Minister fell victim to cyber crime. DMP Joint Commissioner Monirul Islam said “Police do not have exclusive authority to deal with cyber crimes. There are some administrative and technical problems. Police should sign agreement with BTRC, with Facebook and Google for seeking their cooperation in this regard. We asked government to supply us with equipment and trained manpower. On September 23, State Minister for Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal at inauguration of website of Online Media Association at the National Press Club said “It is not unusual that the government’s initiative to reach internet facility to even common people has coincided with some rise in cyber crimes.” Against this backdrop, officials are being imparted training on the technology with a view to opening a cyber crime prevention department under police with them. In this situation, BTRC authority has decided to propose search engine giant Google and Facebook to open an admin panel in Bangladesh. If an agreement is not signed with these organisations, it is not possible to remove any objectionable content and block any account or link page without entering into agreement with Facebook, Google and Twitter having dynamic domain sites. A previous step of the government to block Facebook and You Tube turned futile. Rather, people were deprived of these popular social media communications. A question has been raised as to who will have control over admin panel. BTRC thinks itself to be the fit authority. The Telecommunications Act 2001 vested that authority in BTRC. It has decided to draw the government’s attention to this matter. Brig Gen (retd) Md Ahsan Habib Khan, DG of BTRC, said at its 174th meeting that cyber crimes cannot be controlled for not having adequate trained manpower in International Internet Gateway (IIG) in Bangladesh. Sections 66—74 of Bangladesh Communications Act 2001 speak about punishment for cyber crimes. As section 16 of the law, BTRC has power to form a committee to deal with such matters. On January 13, 2012, a committee named Bangladesh Cyber Security Incident Response Team (BD—CSIRT) was formed. The committee aimed at controlling transfer of internet-based contents, concealment of account identity, harassing people and doing the things which are prejudicial to the state security. The team runs its activities under the supervision of the Systems and Services Department of the BTRC. The onus of the team is to receive complaints of various individuals and organisations and take action. Various websites have been filtered by the team after receiving objection from government departments. Many websites spreading rumour against government and religious sentiments were already blocked following report of the DGFI and National Monitoring Centre (NTMC). But the contents in Facebook cannot be removed at this moment. The process is underway to buy special hardware and software to strengthen the BD-CSIRT to effectively control cyber crimes. If such equipment can be procured, the anti-state and anti-religious contents can be obliterated from the Google and others. Regarding this, it has been informed at the meeting of BTRC that how BD CIRT works. It is said that if request is made to BTRC from government, private and individual level to stop any local link, URL and blog link then it is sent to the IIG operators for necessary action. And IIG operators take action accordingly. In this regard, written request is required to stop any controversial page or any link. No verbal request or opinion is granted. The establishments concerned have to be informed for closing down the link, URL of the blog, the C-Panel of which rests in Bangladesh. The matter depends on concerned organisations and is time consuming. In a special case, it is not possible to contact with concerned organisation then action is taken through IIG operators. In addition, vulnerability scanning is done for filtering websites of different ministries or organisations. Through this initiative, it is informed to the concerned ministries or organisations that what the harmful contents are available on their websites.
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