Facebook, YouTube not willing to share information on

In the name of freedom of expression, social media organisations like Facebook and YouTube are even neglecting to provide information regarding militancy, alleged Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister, Mustafa Jabbar, on Friday.

"Facebook and YouTube have all our information but we are unable to take any action against them," the minister said, attending a programme about the tendency to cybercrime in Bangladesh, marking the 6th anniversary of the Cyber Crime Awareness Foundation (CCAF).

"We report to Facebook if anyone from Bangladesh tries to spread militancy but they refuse to give any details on the person, which they call freedom of speech," he said.

Anyone can spread communalism, sabotage and militancy, but they (Facebook, YouTube) consider it to be freedom of expression by American standards, Jabbar said, adding that "for us, it is a serious matter of existence of the state. We are trying to fill this gap."

A draft law has been formulated on the matter, and hopefully it will take the shape of law shortly, the minister said.

Under the Digital Security Act, the government can't address several issues of social media where strict action can be taken, he said, adding that "countries like Singapore, France, and Australia have also amended their laws in the matter."

To ensure cyber security the government is also formulating cyber monitoring cells in every district, said Mostofa Kamal Rashed, Additional Superintendent of Police (Forensic) of the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI).