Last month, Bangladesh experienced internet blackouts during student protests that ultimately led to the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Initially, it was believed that the blackouts were due to data centre fires. However, an independent probe has revealed that the government ordered the shutdown of internet services, contradicting previous claims made by then-ICT minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak.
The blackout began on July 17 with the mobile internet going dark, followed by a complete internet blackout on July 18 as student protests turned violent. Fixed broadband connectivity was fully restored on July 24, while mobile internet services came back online on July 28. The internet services were shut down again on August 4-5 as protests escalated, demanding Hasina’s resignation.
The Ministry for Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology revealed that an independent committee found that Palak verbally instructed the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) chairman to order operators to shut down their internet services. The National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC) under the Ministry of Home Affairs directed the shutdown and eventual restoration of internet services.
The committee’s preliminary findings debunked Palak’s claims that the blackout was a result of “planned sabotage” by protesters who allegedly set fire to data centres in Dhaka. The committee found no connection between the internet blackout and the data centre fires, stating that Palak misled the nation and engaged in deception by falsely associating the two events.
Following Hasina’s resignation on August 5, Nahid Islam replaced Palak as ICT minister under the interim government. Grameen Telecom founder Muhammad Yunus was appointed chief adviser of the interim government on August 6. The committee investigating the blackout was formed under Nahid’s directive to determine what exactly happened and who was responsible.
The blackout not only disrupted daily life for citizens but also had significant economic consequences. The telecoms and digital commerce sectors reportedly lost several million US dollars per day, with the overall economy estimated to have incurred losses of over US$10 billion as of July 28. The committee has submitted its preliminary report, and further investigations into the blackout are ongoing.
In conclusion, the internet blackouts in Bangladesh during the student protests were not caused by data centre fires as initially claimed. The government’s involvement in ordering the shutdown of internet services has been revealed through an independent probe, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability in such situations. The impact of the blackout on the economy and daily life underscores the importance of a thorough investigation to prevent similar incidents in the future.
