The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has denied allegations that personal data of 14,000 journalists were leaked from its website. The EC explained that for a short period, applicant information for journalist and observer accreditation cards was visible on the site but could not be downloaded. The issue arose after complaints surfaced on Saturday, prompting the EC to clarify that the visibility occurred while the site was being worked on, not due to hacking or data theft.

According to EC Public Relations Director Ruhul Mallik, the application portal for journalists was closed on Thursday following objections, and the observer application section was being shut down on Saturday. Some registered users who logged into their dashboards could temporarily view the admin panel, which led to confusion about a data breach. Mallik emphasized that no external party accessed or misused the data.

The EC recently developed the pr.ecs.gov.bd website to process applications for journalists and election observers online for the first time. However, due to technical and information-handling issues, the commission decided to revert to manual applications for the upcoming February 12 referendum and parliamentary elections.

An ally of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s coalition government, Member of Parliament L. S. K. Devarayalu, on Friday proposed a bill to ban social media use for children under 16. The proposal, titled the Social Media (Age Limit and Online Safety) Bill, seeks to prohibit minors from creating, using, or maintaining social media accounts, with platforms required to deactivate such accounts and verify user ages. The initiative comes amid global discussions on youth safety and mental health, particularly in major markets for platforms like Meta, YouTube, and X.

Devarayalu argued that Indian children are not only addicted to social media but that Indian user data is being exploited by foreign platforms to develop advanced artificial intelligence systems, with strategic and economic benefits flowing abroad. India, the world’s second-largest smartphone market with 750 million devices and one billion internet users, currently has no minimum age limit for social media use.

The bill, introduced as a private member’s bill, is not government-sponsored but could influence parliamentary debate. Similar restrictions have been adopted or studied in countries such as Australia, France, Britain, Denmark, and Greece.

Bangladesh’s Aspire to Innovate (a2i) program under the ICT Division and two Gambian ministries—the Ministry of Public Service, Administrative Reforms, Policy Coordination and Delivery, and the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy—signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Dhaka to expand cooperation in information technology and e-governance. The signing took place on Thursday at a hotel in Dhaka, with Fayez Ahmad Tayyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, attending as chief guest.

The agreement builds on the partnership initiated last year when Gambia adopted Bangladesh’s MyGov platform. Fayez Ahmad Tayyeb said the initiative would serve as an effective example of collaboration among Global South countries and praised both nations for developing citizen-friendly service solutions. ICT Secretary Shish Haydar Chowdhury emphasized prioritizing citizen experience, noting that digital systems gain importance only when they simplify access to services and ensure fairness.

The MoU is expected to strengthen digital governance collaboration between Bangladesh and Gambia, advancing shared goals of efficient, citizen-centric public service delivery.

Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) and the government’s Aspire to Innovate (a2i) program signed a memorandum of understanding at the university’s Shaheed Dr. Milton Hall on Wednesday. The agreement aims to implement paperless administrative operations at BMU and enhance healthcare services through the use of information and communication technology.

Under the MoU, BMU will introduce a digital payment system to make financial transactions related to medical services, education, and research more transparent and efficient. The university’s service fees and bills will be integrated with a2i’s ‘EkPay’ platform, enabling payments through mobile financial services, digital wallets, online banking, debit and credit cards, and agent banking. The initiative is expected to reduce manual hassles and promote a cashless environment across the institution.

Speakers at the event expressed optimism that this digital transformation would help BMU evolve into a modern and smart medical institution, improving patient convenience and supporting the digital preservation of health records.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus inaugurated the Digital Device and Innovation Expo 2026 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Dhaka on January 28, 2026. During the opening ceremony, he also launched the website and logo of the 'Bangladesh Innovation Challenge'. The event is organized by the ICT Division, Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority, and Bangladesh Computer Samity, and will continue until January 31.

The expo aims to promote innovation, capacity building, success, and investment in the technology sector. It features innovative products, digital devices, mobile and e-sports technologies, along with special discounts and offers. The event includes five seminars and four panel discussions on topics such as digital transformation, global investment, startup ecosystems, financing, and inclusive digital growth. A documentary titled 'Create Here, Connect Everywhere' was screened at the opening.

Organizers have ensured Wi-Fi coverage across the venue using satellite internet technology. The expo is being viewed as an important platform for showcasing advanced technologies and innovative ideas from various industries and universities.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus called for an end to fraudulent practices in Bangladesh, emphasizing that the July Movement had opened new possibilities, just as the Digital Device and Innovation Expo 2026 could do for the information technology sector. He said the participants of the July Movement would one day lead the world. Yunus made these remarks on Wednesday afternoon at the inauguration of the Digital Device and Innovation Expo 2026 held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center.

He stated that Bangladesh had become known for fraud, which had damaged its international image. To excel in technology, he said, the country must eliminate fraudulent practices. Yunus stressed that Bangladesh has the ability to move forward with pride if integrity is maintained.

The event highlighted the government’s focus on innovation and digital transformation, with Yunus positioning the fight against fraud as essential for restoring Bangladesh’s reputation and achieving technological progress.

France has moved toward restricting children’s use of social media, with its lower house of parliament passing a bill to ban access for those under 15. The measure still requires approval from the Senate before becoming law. In response, the European Union is considering similar action, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen supporting the idea of setting a minimum age limit. The Commission plans to form an expert panel early this year to advise on possible steps for all 27 member states.

The EU already enforces the Digital Services Act, which bans advertising targeted at children and allows regulators to require structural changes to online platforms. France, Denmark, and three other countries are testing an age verification app designed to protect minors from harmful online content, with the Commission expecting a full rollout by the end of the year.

Although no EU-wide ban is yet in place, regulators anticipate initial decisions on child protection measures during the first half of 2026.

The Bangladesh Air Force and China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC) International have signed a government-to-government agreement to establish a drone manufacturing and assembly plant in Dhaka Cantonment. The signing ceremony took place at the Air Force Headquarters, with Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan attending as the chief guest. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the project includes technology transfer, capacity building, and joint technical cooperation aimed at enhancing Bangladesh’s self-reliance in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) production.

ISPR stated that the Air Force will initially gain the capability to produce and assemble various types of medium-altitude, low-endurance, and vertical take-off and landing UAVs. The drones will serve both military operations and humanitarian or disaster management missions. The agreement is expected to expand domestic UAV production capacity to meet national and international demand while contributing to the development of a skilled aerospace workforce through specialized training and knowledge exchange.

The event was attended by China’s Ambassador Yao Wen, senior officials from the Armed Forces Division, several ministries, and representatives from CETC International.

Bangladesh Telecommunication Company Limited (BTCL) has officially launched the long-awaited .bd second-level domain, such as example.bd, to strengthen the country's IT and digital economy. The new domain system allows local entrepreneurs, startups, freelancers, and general users to register shorter, more appealing, and nationally representative domain names. Before the launch, BTCL held a three-month 'sunrise period' enabling existing .com.bd users to reserve their corresponding .bd domains, helping prevent name conflicts and cyber-squatting.

Alongside the domain rollout, BTCL introduced a transparent, technology-driven reseller system through which customers can purchase domains directly from approved resellers listed on BTCL’s website. The company issued several guidelines to ensure proper domain use, including restrictions on obscene or provocative names, bans on resale or leasing of domains, and priority allocation for government agencies. Disputes will be jointly resolved by BTCL and the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).

Experts believe the initiative will make Bangladesh’s domain management more secure and internationally compliant, reinforcing the nation’s digital infrastructure and sovereignty.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday inaugurated an e-learning initiative in 12 schools across the three hill districts of Bangladesh. The virtual launch took place from the state guesthouse Jamuna, connecting Yunus with teachers and students from three primary and nine secondary schools. The program will gradually expand to 149 selected schools in the region. Officials from the Prime Adviser’s Office and the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs attended the event.

During the ceremony, Yunus acknowledged the government’s delay in ensuring internet access in remote areas and emphasized the need to reach all 3,500 schools quickly. He highlighted that e-learning would allow students to learn from teachers anywhere in the world, improving education quality despite local teacher shortages. Yunus also noted that internet connectivity could enhance access to healthcare and information in remote communities.

Adviser Supradeep Chakma of the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs said the initiative fulfills a government promise and marks a new chapter in education for the hill region, aiming to connect it more closely with the rest of Bangladesh and the world.

France’s National Assembly has passed a bill aiming to ban social media use for children under 15, seeking to protect them from excessive screen time and its negative effects. The bill, strongly supported by President Emmanuel Macron, was approved after a lengthy session from Monday to Tuesday night and will now move to the Senate for further approval. Macron described the measure as a major step forward in safeguarding French youth.

The proposed law also includes restrictions on mobile phone use in high schools. If enacted, France would become the second country after Australia to impose such strict limits on minors’ social media access. The law would take effect at the start of the 2026 school year, with social media companies required to deactivate non-compliant accounts by December 31, 2025. Renaissance Party leader and former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal expressed hope that the Senate would approve the bill by mid-February.

A recent report by France’s public health agency ANSES warned that platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram negatively affect teenagers’ mental health, especially among girls. The law will exclude educational and encyclopedic platforms and introduce a European-level age verification system.

Faiz Ahmad Tayeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, has called for building the foundation of a digital economy from the upazila level. He made the remarks on Monday at the inauguration of 100 upazila service and ICT training centers under the Establishing Digital Connectivity (EDC) project, held at the ICT Division’s conference room.

Tayeb emphasized that to build a truly digital Bangladesh, ICT services and skills must expand beyond the capital to upazilas and grassroots levels. He said 100 centers are already operational, and work on another 179 will be completed within six months. The centers will provide ICT skill development for students and freelancers, cybersecurity training for government officials, and ICT support for educational institutions. Office space, training facilities, and co-working areas have been ensured for local ICT officers.

ICT Division Secretary Shish Haydar Chowdhury described the establishment of upazila ICT service and training centers as a major milestone for the division, noting that 303 of the targeted 400 centers are now active, including the 100 launched today.

Two mobile apps designed to identify and avoid American-made products have surged to the top of the Danish App Store following renewed tensions between Denmark and the United States. The rise comes after Trump’s threats to take control of Greenland, a Danish territory, prompted European consumers to push back. The apps, NonUSA and Made O’Meter, help users scan product barcodes to check their origin and suggest local alternatives. NonUSA reached the No. 1 position on Wednesday, while Made O’Meter climbed to No. 5.

According to market intelligence provider Appfigures, downloads for these apps have increased by 867% over the past week across iOS and Android platforms. The Danish App Store, which also serves Greenland, has seen a wave of grassroots boycotts that include canceling U.S. vacations and dropping subscriptions to American streaming services. NonUSA’s top markets now include Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Iceland, reflecting a broader Nordic participation in the movement.

Although Denmark’s app market is relatively small, the surge underscores how political tensions can quickly influence consumer behavior and digital trends across the region.

Iran’s Telecommunications Infrastructure Company chief Behzad Akbari announced that internet services across the country will be restored “today or tomorrow.” The Fars news agency reported the statement on Saturday, citing domestic media. According to AFP, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council approved the reconnection late Friday and informed the Ministry of Communications. Akbari said the issue would be resolved soon, though technical complications may delay full restoration.

Fars noted that international internet access briefly returned for about 30 minutes before being cut off again, a development also recorded by monitoring group NetBlocks. Officials from the communications ministry said technical issues were hindering complete reconnection. Iran had severed its digital links with the world on January 8 following widespread protests, during which authorities launched a harsh crackdown. Human rights groups reported thousands of deaths, while the government claimed 3,117 fatalities, including 2,427 labeled as “martyrs.”

Yusuf Pezeshkian, presidential adviser and son of President Masoud Pezeshkian, urged the government to restore internet access, warning that prolonged shutdowns would deepen public dissatisfaction and widen the gap between citizens and the state.

An IT Training and Incubation Center under the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority was inaugurated in Meherpur on Friday. Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant (Consensus) Monir Haidar said the center would be highly effective in developing skilled manpower for the IT sector and open new opportunities for local youth. He urged residents to make the best use of the facility.

Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications and ICT, Fayez Ahmad Tayyeb, stated that the center aims to develop a startup ecosystem. He outlined three main objectives: supporting local entrepreneurs and small IT-based businesses with infrastructure to grow as startups, providing training in freelancing, e-commerce, and ICT skills to create quality employment, and bridging the gap between academia and industry. The center will feature a modern computer lab, startup space, incubation facilities, and a 150-seat auditorium.

All training programs will be verified by the National Skill Development Authority (NSDA) to ensure national and international recognition. The inauguration was attended by officials from government and private institutions, including the Vice-Chancellor of Meherpur University and local dignitaries.