DHAKA, Aug 10, 2022 (BSS) - State Minister for ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed 
Palak today urged the journalists and media workers to give their opinions on 
the draft of Data Protection Act (DPA) within the next 10 days since the act 
is available on the website of the division.

Palak made the call at a view-exchange meeting with journalists, which was 
organized as part of the ongoing consultations on the act, at Bangladesh 
Computer Council (BCC) Auditorium at ICT Tower in the city's Agargaon area 
this morning.

Noting that the law is going to be enacted to protect the data from misuse, 
he reassured that the law will not be used for controlling anything.
"Data is the next wealth . . . those who will be able to store and manage the 
digital data properly will be strong prosperous nations," the state minister 
said.

Palak said this act will protect the data of the country's people from misuse 
by foreigners and third party except authorized one. 

Presided over by ICT Division Senior Secretary N M Zeaul Alam, BCC Executive 
Director Ranajit Kumar and BCC Director Tarique M Barkatullah spoke at the 
meeting, among others. 

President of Editors Guild Bangladesh and Ekattor Television Editor-in-Chief 
Mozammel Babu, former president of BFUJ- Bangladesh Federal Union of 
Journalists (BFUJ) Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul, NTV Chief News Editor Jahirul Alam 
and Technology Media Guild Bangladesh President Md Kawser Uddin and General 
Secretary Morsalin Jonaed took part in the open discussion on the draft law, 
among others. 

Speaking at the event, Mozammel Babu urged the government to enact a 
simplified law so that all can understand it.

He also called for using simple and common words in the act so none can 
misuse it through misinterpretations. 

Taking part in the discussion, Monjurul Ahsan pointed out different concerns 
about the law that might affect the people and data users and urged the 
government to enact a people friendly law. 

Consultant of ICT Division's Law and Policy Wing and former Senior Secretary 
of the Legislative Division M Shahidul Haque gave explanations to the queries 
of the journalists about the proposed law.