জুয়া দমন আইন নাকি রাষ্ট্রের হাতে নতুন ‘ডিজিটাল অস্ত্র’?

Bangladesh has proposed a new 'Betting and Gambling Prevention Act, 2026', which critics argue is less about curbing online gambling and more about granting the state extensive surveillance powers. The draft law includes provisions for a national digital blacklist, allowing the government to effectively immobilize citizens by restricting access to their digital and financial information without judicial oversight. Furthermore, it proposes integrating national ID, SIM card, banking, and biometric data, alongside advanced surveillance technologies like deep packet inspection and AI-driven monitoring. Critics contend that these measures mirror the authoritarian tendencies of the now-repealed Digital Security Act, raising concerns about potential misuse and erosion of civil liberties.

The proposed law's broad surveillance and control mechanisms, enacted under the guise of preventing gambling, could significantly undermine citizens' privacy and freedom in the digital space.