A recent investigation conducted by a news outlet has shed light on the extensive state surveillance infrastructure developed by the previous Awami League government. The probe uncovered concerning details regarding a sophisticated digital system designed to monitor and intercept communications, as well as target specific individuals. While the full extent of its usage against civilians remains ambiguous, questions linger about the current utilization of this system following the regime’s ousting.
The investigation revealed that between 2016 and 2024, the National Telecommunication Monitoring Center (NTMC), Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), and various police units collectively procured surveillance equipment valued at Tk 1,382 crore. These acquisitions included IMSI catchers, GPS trackers, signal jammers for mobile devices and vehicles, speaker recognition technology, and tools capable of intercepting encrypted communications and deploying spyware. While ostensibly constructed to identify and mitigate threats to national security, the system was exploited over time to target individuals for questionable detentions, forced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings.
Alarmingly, this high level of surveillance was legally sanctioned under outdated laws that allow for spyware deployment, communication interception, and broad law enforcement access without adequate safeguards. While surveillance is crucial for crime prevention, intelligence gathering, and enhancing public safety, unchecked systems are prone to misuse, enabling authorities to suppress dissent and target political adversaries, as witnessed during the previous administration.
Despite the lapse of more than a year since the Awami League’s departure from power, the interim government has yet to take substantial action to dismantle or regulate the digital surveillance network. The current status and purpose of this costly apparatus, funded by taxpayers, remain uncertain. Transparency and accountability are imperative in governing state surveillance practices. It is crucial for the authorities to devise a comprehensive strategy to deactivate the system and confine its operations strictly to matters of national security and serious criminal activities.
One proposed solution is the establishment of an independent oversight body tasked with monitoring the executive branch and security agencies, including intelligence services. Additionally, implementing robust legal safeguards can prevent abuses of the surveillance infrastructure and mitigate governmental overreach. While surveillance might be necessary in specific circumstances, it should never supersede the fundamental civic and human rights of individuals.