The United Arab Emirates has implemented a new Child Digital Safety (CDS) Law that makes it a legal obligation for parents to monitor and control their children's online activities. The law transforms digital safety from a matter of parental advice into a binding legal responsibility. It imposes strict regulations on harmful online content, excessive digital use, and the collection and use of children’s personal data, assigning clear duties to parents, digital platforms, and service providers.

According to the UAE Cybersecurity Council, 72 percent of children aged eight to twelve use smartphones daily, while only 43 percent of parents regularly monitor their children's online behavior. The CDS Law applies not only to UAE-based companies but also to foreign digital platforms that target Emirati child users. It mandates age verification systems, content filtering, parental control software, and restrictions on advertising aimed at minors.

Legal expert Marina El Hachem stated that parents are now legally required to oversee children’s digital activities, prevent inappropriate account access, protect privacy and security, and report harmful or obscene content to authorities. Neglecting a child’s online safety will be treated as a legal violation under the new law.

Banglalink, one of Bangladesh’s leading digital operators, has signed a partnership agreement with Clinicall Limited to expand healthcare services through its MyBL app. The signing took place at Banglalink’s headquarters, Tiger’s Den, with senior officials from both companies present. The collaboration aims to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for millions of users by integrating doctor consultations, medicine delivery, lab tests, and insurance coverage into a single digital platform.

According to Banglalink, this partnership marks a major step toward transforming digital connectivity into everyday solutions for its customers. The initiative reflects the company’s commitment to providing meaningful digital services beyond traditional telecommunications. Clinicall will offer reliable and quality healthcare through affordable subscription plans, enhancing the MyBL app’s role as a one-stop lifestyle platform.

Banglalink stated that this effort aligns with its broader “Digital for All” vision, which includes services such as the Toffee entertainment platform and the AI-based lifestyle package Rise. The company, a subsidiary of Nasdaq-listed VEON Ltd., continues to focus on innovation and inclusive digital empowerment across Bangladesh.

The Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs of Bangladesh has launched the second phase of the e-bail bond service in eight districts—Manikganj, Bandarban, Meherpur, Joypurhat, Moulvibazar, Panchagarh, Jhalakathi, and Sherpur. The service was inaugurated on Wednesday at the ministry’s conference room in the Secretariat by Dr. Asif Nazrul, Adviser to the Ministry. The initiative aims to modernize the judicial system and reduce the suffering of litigants. Previously, the service was introduced in Narayanganj, where it has been operating successfully.

According to the ministry, the e-bail bond system allows detainees to be released within an hour through online submission, eliminating multiple procedural steps and reducing time and cost. Dr. Nazrul stated that the digital process ensures full record-keeping of signatures and prevents intentional delays. He expressed hope that the service will be expanded to all 64 districts in phases.

He further mentioned that the ministry aims to introduce the e-bail bond service nationwide within six months and expects future governments to continue this essential digital reform.

Bangladesh has introduced its first modern irrigation system, the Center Pivot Irrigation System, at the North Bengal Sugar Mill’s sugarcane farm in Bhabanipur, Baraigram, Natore. The project, implemented with technical assistance from Austria and financial support from the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation’s (BADC) Panasi Project, was officially handed over to the farm authorities after a successful trial run on Thursday morning. The system uses sprinklers attached to pipes to distribute water from above like rainfall.

The pilot project, costing Tk 3.98 crore across two sites in Natore and Pabna, was implemented by Sherpa Power Engineering with Austrian company Bayer’s cooperation. Two foreign experts, from China and Vietnam, supervised technical training. The system can irrigate 125 acres simultaneously, using less water and time than traditional methods. Officials said it will reduce water waste and improve year-round irrigation efficiency.

BADC engineers and local agricultural officers expect the technology to bring a major shift in farming efficiency, enabling uniform irrigation even on uneven land and converting fallow plots into productive farmland.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and the Dhaka Transport Owners Association have jointly launched an e-ticketing and counter-based system to organize and modernize the city’s public bus network. The system was officially inaugurated at a hotel in Dhaka on Monday, with full implementation expected within a week. Under the new system, all buses will pick up and drop off passengers only at designated stops, and passengers must purchase e-tickets through an app or device. Fares will remain within government-approved limits, and students will continue to receive half fares.

The initiative involves collaboration among DMP’s traffic and crime divisions, the Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation, and several transport unions, with technical support from UrbanMove Tech. The company will manage the e-ticketing operations across routes, installing QR codes at over 800 bus stops for app-based ticketing and deploying more than 3,500 ticket masters for passengers without smartphones.

Officials said the system aims to reduce traffic congestion, prevent unsafe competition among buses, and improve passenger safety and comfort. It follows eight months of consultations with relevant ministries, city corporations, and transport stakeholders.

Digital rights activists have warned that Iran’s government is advancing plans to permanently disconnect the country from the global internet. According to a report by the censorship-monitoring group Filterwatch, only a small, government-approved group will be allowed limited access to international networks, while the general public will be restricted to a domestic “national internet” isolated from the global web. Filterwatch chief Amir Rashidi described the system as a state-controlled parallel network containing only government-approved search engines, messaging apps, and streaming services.

Activists allege that Chinese technology and Huawei equipment are being used to build this surveillance and censorship infrastructure, enabling authorities to monitor and block internet traffic. Since January 8, Iran has faced one of its longest internet blackouts, lasting over 200 hours, surpassing Egypt’s 2011 shutdown. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani suggested the restrictions could continue until March 20, coinciding with the Nowruz holiday.

Analysts cited by The Guardian said the move reflects a decade-and-a-half of planning since the 2009 protests, when Iran began developing its domestic internet system. A 2025 law now criminalizes possession of Starlink terminals, with penalties up to death, as authorities use Russian and Chinese jammers to block satellite signals.

Bangladesh’s Mobile Number Portability (MNP) service, launched in 2017, has failed to achieve expected success even after eight years. The service allows users to retain their mobile numbers while switching operators, but experts and stakeholders say regulatory and operational barriers have hindered its growth. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) granted licenses to multiple firms, yet the service remains underutilized.

According to the report, key obstacles include BTRC and mobile operators’ inaction, high taxes imposed by the National Board of Revenue (NBR), and restrictions preventing operators from offering incentives. The current MNP fee of Tk 450 is considered too high compared to neighboring countries, where similar services cost Tk 90–100. Additionally, BTRC’s directive blocking masked SMS messages to MNP users has created further complications, particularly for financial and social platforms.

Experts suggest revising the 2018 MNP guidelines, reducing taxes, and allowing promotional incentives to make the service more accessible and attractive. They also emphasize public awareness campaigns to prevent waste of resources and improve adoption.

Bangladesh’s leading industrial group RFL, through its subsidiary Rangpur Metal Industries Limited, has signed an agreement with Japanese tech-based startup Glafit Bangladesh Limited to jointly establish electric vehicle charging stations across the country. The signing ceremony took place on Thursday at RFL Group’s headquarters in Badda, Dhaka, where RFL Managing Director RN Paul and Glafit Bangladesh Managing Director Tomoyaki Furuoka signed on behalf of their respective companies.

RN Paul stated that the use of eco-friendly vehicles such as scooters is growing among the country’s youth, and RFL recently launched its ‘Raido’ brand of electric scooters. However, the lack of fast-charging facilities remains a major obstacle for the sector. The company plans to set up charging and battery-swapping stations nationwide with Glafit providing technical support. Initial installations will focus on areas with higher electric vehicle usage, later expanding based on demand.

Furuoka added that Glafit’s mobile app will allow users to connect with the ecosystem, locate nearby charging points, monitor battery status, and track usage details.

An e-ticketing service has been officially launched at the Sixty Dome Mosque and its adjacent museum in Bagerhat to reduce tourist inconvenience and save time. The inauguration took place on Friday, January 16, 2026, with officials expressing hope that the new system will make visitor entry more efficient through modern management.

The event was attended by the Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Fayez Ahmed Taiyeb, Director General of the Department of Archaeology Sabina Alam, Bagerhat Deputy Commissioner Golam Md. Baten, Khulna Divisional Director of Archaeology Lovely Yasmin, Bagerhat Museum Curator Md. Zahed, and Additional Superintendent of Police Md. Shamim Hossain, among others. Fayez Ahmed Taiyeb stated that the e-ticketing initiative would save visitors’ time and reduce hassle, marking an important step in tourism management.

He added that combining heritage preservation with modern technology would attract more tourists and enhance Bagerhat’s international recognition as a heritage destination.

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has issued a public warning against misinformation circulating on social media regarding the server location and IP address of the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system. In a special notice posted Tuesday on its verified Facebook page, the commission clarified that the NEIR system was launched on January 1 under a government decision to curb illegal handset imports, prevent mobile theft, combat crimes using unauthorized devices, and ensure government revenue.

According to the BTRC, all NEIR data are securely hosted within Bangladesh using the commission’s own hardware and in full compliance with the national data protection law. The IP address used by the system was allocated by APNIC to a Bangladeshi organization, ensuring that no data or traffic leaves the country. All operational requests are processed domestically, and detailed IP route reviews have confirmed the system’s internal security.

The BTRC urged mobile users to disregard false claims and avoid spreading unverified information about the NEIR system.

Bangladesh has introduced the 'Moon Alert' or Missing Urgent Notification System, the country's first national emergency alert mechanism for rescuing missing children. The initiative, launched jointly by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Amber Alert for Bangladesh, includes a toll-free helpline number 13219. The system was inaugurated at the CID headquarters in Malibagh by Additional IGP and CID chief Md. Shibgat Ullah, aiming to strengthen law enforcement operations and ensure public participation in child rescue efforts.

The Moon Alert system was developed under the leadership of the CID’s Missing Children Cell with technical support from the Zero Missing Children platform. It draws on international experience from the Amber Alert model, which began in the United States in 1996 and is now active in over 30 countries. Verified alerts will be disseminated through official web portals, mobile apps, media outlets, social media, digital billboards, and SMS broadcasting to mobilize public assistance while prioritizing child safety and privacy.

Authorities expressed confidence that the Moon Alert will establish a state-led, technology-driven framework for child protection and justice in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh has introduced the 'Moon Alert' system for the first time to ensure rapid recovery of missing and abducted children. The initiative, launched by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), was inaugurated on Tuesday morning at the CID headquarters in Malibagh, Dhaka, by Additional IGP and CID chief Md. Shibgat Ullah. A toll-free helpline, 13219, has been integrated with the system to facilitate immediate reporting and coordination.

According to CID, once a child goes missing, information will be disseminated quickly through police stations, social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, banking ATM booths, metro rail networks, and other key public platforms across the country. The alert will also appear on large screens at bus, train, and launch terminals. Border alerts will be issued to prevent child trafficking, with the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) being notified. Law enforcement agencies will prioritize the first three hours after disappearance as the most critical period for recovery.

CID stated that the system will be centrally monitored and coordinated with multiple government stakeholders. It is expected to play an effective role in combating child-related crimes and enhancing public participation in child protection efforts.

Meta has deactivated more than 540,000 Facebook, Instagram, and Threads accounts in Australia following the country’s new social media ban for users under 16. The U.S. technology company stated that between December 4 and 11, it removed 330,639 Instagram accounts, 173,497 Facebook accounts, and 39,916 Threads accounts believed to be operated by minors. The action came after Australia implemented the world’s first full prohibition on social media use by children under 16, effective December 10.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Australian government’s decision bars minors from creating, using, or maintaining profiles on major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat. In a blog post, Meta said it seeks constructive dialogue with the government to explore safer, privacy-preserving, and age-appropriate online experiences instead of a total ban. The company emphasized that a unified industry standard for age verification is still lacking.

Meta reaffirmed its commitment to comply with Australian law but expressed concern over the absence of clear and consistent age determination standards across the industry.

The Indian government has imposed a two-month ban on virtual private network (VPN) use in Indian-administered Kashmir, citing national security concerns. The order, issued on December 29, described VPNs as a threat to national security and alleged that they were being misused to incite unrest. Following the ban, police have intensified searches, stopping pedestrians and vehicles to check mobile phones, and have taken action against more than 100 individuals accused of violating the order.

The decision has caused significant anxiety among professionals and residents who rely on VPNs for secure communication and data protection. Basit Bande, an IT professional from Pulwama working in Pune, told Al Jazeera that the government’s order was issued without adequate consideration for professionals whose work depends on VPN access. He fears losing his job or being forced to relocate permanently to Pune as many corporate systems, including email, require VPN connections.

According to cybersecurity firm Surfshark, about 20 percent of India’s 800 million internet users use VPNs, making the country one of the largest VPN markets globally. The ban has sparked renewed debate about digital rights and online security in India.

The Government of Bangladesh is set to launch a national registration and digital ID card program for freelancers to formalize the country’s growing freelancing sector. The Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology announced that the digital platform for the initiative has been completed and will be officially inaugurated on Tuesday. Registered freelancers will be able to use their ID cards to access banking services, loans, credit cards, financial incentives, and both government and private training opportunities.

According to the ministry’s statement, the platform, freelancers.gov.bd, has successfully passed vulnerability assessment and penetration testing, ensuring its security and technical readiness. The initiative aims to strengthen connections between freelancers, banks, government institutions, and the private sector, which the ministry expects will elevate Bangladesh’s digital economy to new heights.

The ministry described the program as a strategic national initiative designed to promote self-employment among youth, increase foreign currency earnings, and expand technology-based employment opportunities across the country.