GNI calls for independent regulation as Bangladesh updates digital laws

The Global Network Initiative (GNI) has published a policy brief calling for stronger independent oversight as Bangladesh implements new legislation covering cybersecurity, personal data, national data management and telecommunications.

The brief, ‘Why Independent Regulation Matters for Bangladesh’s Digital Future: Proposed Way Forward to Protect Users’ Rights‘, argues that the way digital rules are developed and enforced is as important as the content of the laws themselves. GNI links independent regulation to protecting user rights, building public trust and providing greater certainty for businesses, investors and innovators.

Among its recommendations, GNI calls for a clearer separation between setting national policy and implementing it. It proposes that regulatory bodies, including the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) and the National Cyber Security Agency, should be able to operate without political or administrative influence.

The organisation also recommends safeguards around regulators’ appointments, terms of office, removal and financing. It calls for greater transparency through public disclosures, annual audit reports and human rights due diligence assessments, alongside sufficient technical expertise and resources for regulatory bodies.

The brief further recommends broader use of regulatory approaches such as co-regulation, industry self-regulation and independent multistakeholder benchmarks. It also calls for digital legislation and policies to be published early enough to allow meaningful and ongoing consultation, with authorities publishing feedback summaries and explaining the reasoning behind regulatory decisions.

For measures affecting fundamental rights, GNI proposes independent assessments of impacts on the economy, technology, competition, privacy and human rights. It also recommends clear legal thresholds, written reasons for decisions and accessible mechanisms for judicial review.

The recommendations draw on GNI’s engagement with governments on international human rights frameworks and industry practices, as well as consultations with stakeholders in Bangladesh over the past two years. GNI said it has shared the recommendations with relevant government and regulatory stakeholders to contribute to discussions on the country’s evolving digital legal framework.