The regulatory authorities have directed the Department of Telecom to take necessary steps to turn off harmful gaming apps like PUBG, Free Fire, and others.
It was also learnt that the authorities concerned is also going to write the VPN (Virtual Private Network) service providers to take similar steps, so that none of the users could play those game using VPN.
Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (BTRC) has directed the authorities concerned to ban harmful online games like Free Fire, which are widely discussed. In addition, apps like TikTok, Bigo Live and Likee will be closed and a letter will be sent to remove the link from Bangladesh.
BTRC’s Vice Chairman Subrata Roy Maitra confirmed this to a media on Wednesday.
He said, “BTRC has directed the ‘Department of Telecom’ (DoT) to ban games Pubg, free fire and others. But even if you turn off other harmful apps including TikTok and Likee, you can run it with VPN. We do not have the capacity to stop this. We will write to different VPN authorities in this regard.”
An official of BTRC said that before shutting any app or website, direction has to be given to internet gateways, broadband and mobile operators. But now the Department of Telecom can do it itself.
Earlier on August 16, the High Court (HC) gave order to stop all harmful games from online platforms including PUBG and Free Fire immediately.
A virtual HC division bench comprising Justice Md Mojibur Rahman Mia and Justice Md Kamrul Hossain Mollah passed the order. At the same time, the court has issued a rule asking the authorities concerned as to why all types of online games and apps like Tiktok, Bigo Live, PUBG, Free Fire Games and Likee will not be banned from all online platforms.
On June 19, legal notices were sent to stop all kinds of online games and apps such as Tiktok, Bigo Live, PUBG, and Free Fire. The writ was filed on June 24 last seeking immediate closure of all online games and apps from all online platforms.
