Preliminary approval has been given by the Cabinet to replace the Digital Security Act (DSA) with the Cyber Security Act. The changes made will modify certain sections of the former act, rather than completely discarding it. The name change was made to eliminate confusion. The proposed law will be presented for parliamentary approval in September. If passed, ongoing cases under the DSA will be transferred to the new act. It is important to note that sections of the DSA that relate to cyber security will remain unchanged.
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| DSA to CSA |
The main aspects of the new law are:
1. Defamation Penalty Change: Defamation penalties have been altered significantly. Instead of potential jail sentences under the DSA, the maximum fine for defamation under the new law is Tk 25 lakh. Non-payment of the fine may result in a three to six-month jail term.
2. Introduction of Hacking Offences: A new section addressing hacking offenses has been introduced in place of the removed Section 33 of the DSA. The maximum penalty for hacking is 14 years in jail or a maximum fine of Tk 1 crore, or both.
3. Repeat Offences: Unlike the DSA, the new law does not impose increased punishments for second offenses. Penalties for second offenses will be the same as for the first under the Cyber Security Act.
4. Bail Provisions: Many offenses that were non-bailable under the DSA have become bailable under the Cyber Security Act.
5. Reduced Punishments: Punishments have been reduced for certain offenses. Notably, the maximum jail term for offenses under DSA's Section 21 (related to propaganda against national symbols) will be reduced to seven years. Similar reductions apply to offenses under DSA sections 28, 31, and 32.
These changes are aimed at addressing concerns and improving the legal framework surrounding digital security and cyber crimes, while also bringing clarity and more appropriate penalties to various offenses.
Preliminary approval has been given by the Cabinet for the Cyber Security Act, which will replace the Digital Security Act (DSA). The intention behind this change is to modernize the law and prevent its misuse and abuse. Those accused of defamation under the new act will face fines instead of being sent to jail, and penalties will be reduced. The Cyber Security Act emphasizes the government's commitment to modernization and addresses concerns about the DSA's impact on freedom of speech and expression. If someone is found guilty of defamation under this new law, they will be fined, with a possibility of a jail term of three to six months if the fine is not paid. Law Minister Anisul Huq explained these changes and emphasized that the new law will be fair and helpful for everyone.
