The high-powered "Committee to Review the Procurement and Use of Surveillance Technology" submitted its final report to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday. Photo: CA's Press Wing

DHAKA, Feb 11, 2026 (BSS) - The high-powered “Committee to Review the Procurement and Use of Surveillance Technology,” formed by the interim government, has submitted its final report to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday. 

The report reviews the legal and technical aspects of the state’s surveillance capabilities and their limitations, said the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing tonight. 

It also proposes eight recommendations against eight standards, ensuring national security, emergency life-saving, public safety and judicial necessity, while safeguarding citizens’ constitutional right to privacy and freedom of expression.

The report was prepared in the combined context of allegations of serious human rights violations in Bangladesh, incidents of enforced disappearances and unlawful detention, and at the same time the state’s success in crime control and counter-terrorism through surveillance. 

Its primary objective was to identify structural risks, governance gaps and areas requiring reform within the surveillance system, in light of existing laws, policies, institutional frameworks and technological arrangements.

The committee prepared the report through evidence-based, comparative and policy-driven analysis.

Moving beyond the currently prevailing incomplete and non-transparent structure, the report proposes a modern surveillance system grounded in respect for human rights, transparency and accountability, incorporating an audit-driven “two-layer transparency model”, which will work as part of a globally standard state capability. 

The report aimed at presenting a realistic reform pathway based on the guidance of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the experiences and practices of other countries, human rights standards, and Bangladesh’s actual administrative capacity.

Among its proposals, the committee recommended the abolition of NTMC and provided a detailed roadmap for reforming Sections 97, 97 (Ka), 97 (Kha) and 97 (Ga) of the Telecommunication Act, 2001. 

However, the interim government has already gazetted an amended version of the Telecommunication Act in this regard. 

Besides, the Committee also proposed further state investigation and inquiry.

Through preparing this report, an effort has been made to construct a policy framework that views state security and citizens’ rights not as contradictory, but as complementary.