Govt Asks Meta to Rein in Violent Content Before Polls

The interim government has formally urged Meta, the parent company of Facebook, to take immediate steps to curb Bangladesh-related content that it says is inciting violence, undermining the electoral process and threatening press freedom.

In a letter sent on Friday, the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) called on Meta to strengthen moderation of Facebook posts promoting intimidation and violence, and to place Bangladesh-related content under enhanced monitoring until the national election and referendum scheduled for February 12 are completed.

The government warned that Facebook has increasingly been used to spread calls for mass violence and to disrupt the election amid the country’s ongoing political transition.

Referring to the aftermath of the July 2024 uprising, the letter noted that more than 1,400 students were killed and thousands injured during the unrest, arguing that social media—particularly Facebook—played a significant role in amplifying tensions and turning online incitement into real-world violence.

The NCSA also expressed concern over content allegedly inciting attacks on journalists and media institutions, citing recent incidents in which online endorsements of violence were followed by vandalism and arson targeting major media outlets.

“Despite repeated requests from various government bodies and civil sources, Meta has failed to act promptly to disable accounts identified as responsible for inciting and mobilising violence,” the letter said.

The agency warned that the continued circulation of such content poses a serious threat to national stability, public order, minority safety and press freedom.

It said a list of Facebook posts explicitly or implicitly calling for mob violence had been attached to the letter, many of which had previously been reported through official channels but were not addressed in a timely manner.

As Meta does not maintain a local office in Bangladesh, the government said all regulatory communication is conducted through the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, in coordination with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the NCSA. The letter cited the Cyber Security Ordinance 2025, which empowers the NCSA to intervene in such cases.

Describing the issue as one of national importance, the interim government urged Meta to strengthen Bengali-language moderation, improve contextual review mechanisms, act swiftly against violence-inciting content and maintain special monitoring of Bangladesh-related posts throughout the election period.

The letter was addressed to senior Meta officials overseeing public policy and human rights, seeking urgent cooperation to prevent further violence and ensure a safe and credible electoral environment.