Govt Approves NTMC Online Content Blocking Expansion

The government has approved a Tk 949.05 million project to enhance the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre's (NTMC) capability to block and filter online content, including anti-government propaganda on social media.

The decision was finalized on Wednesday during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase, which greenlit the "Expansion of Content Blocking and Filtering System (Phase-1)."

According to the Finance Ministry, the project will be executed through a contract with the supplier Global Brand, utilizing equipment and services from various international manufacturers. However, official meeting documents did not specify the exact technologies or systems being procured.

A Controversial Legacy

The NTMC has historically operated state surveillance and content-filtering networks. Under previous governments, the agency faced severe criticism for monitoring citizens’ private communications and facilitating mass internet shutdowns, particularly during the July Uprising.

Following the fall of the Awami League government, the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus initiated steps to dissolve the controversial agency. On December 24, 2025, the interim government approved a draft amendment to the Telecommunication Ordinance 2025. This proposed replacing the NTMC with a new body—the Centre for Information Support (CIS).

Under the proposed reforms, the CIS would have operated under the Ministry of Home Affairs, requiring authorization from a semi-judicial council to conduct lawful interception. The framework also mandated compliance with a strict personal data protection ordinance.

The restructuring lost momentum after the interim government stepped down. The succeeding administration did not pursue parliamentary approval for the proposed reforms, effectively abandoning the shift to the CIS model.

Despite the previous uncertainty surrounding its existence, Wednesday's approval signals that the government is moving forward with expanding the NTMC's technical reach.

In a separate move, the cabinet committee also approved the procurement of one million litres of refined rice bran oil and one million litres of refined palm olein both in two-litre bottles alongside 20,000 tonnes of lentils for state distribution.