BTRC urges Google to curb harmful, illegal content

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) Chairman Maj Gen Md Emdad ul Bari (Retd) on Sunday urged Google to take more effective measures to prevent criminals from using its platforms to promote betting, gambling and other illegal financial activities.

He also stressed the need to introduce effective technical measures using artificial intelligence (AI) to automatically detect and remove such content immediately after it is published.

The BTRC chairman made the call when Google’s South Asia Policy Head Kyle Gardner met him at his office at the BTRC headquarters in Agargaon here, said a BTRC press release.

During the meeting, the Google representative discussed the expansion of the company’s various services in Bangladesh, the introduction of a payment system and infrastructure development. 

He also stressed the need to further strengthen regular communication and coordination with the BTRC.

The BTRC informed the Google representative about the need for effective measures to quickly detect and remove harmful content from various Google platforms and to introduce a local payment system in Bangladesh.

The BTRC also urged Google to take more effective steps to ensure that criminals cannot use its platforms to promote betting, gambling or any illegal financial activities. 

In this regard, the BTRC chairman emphasised introducing effective technical measures using AI to automatically identify and remove such content as soon as it is published.

The BTRC called upon Google to take necessary initiatives to expand its business in Bangladesh and establish a local office, considering the large number of internet users in the country who use various Google services and platforms.

During the meeting, the BTRC also sought to know whether Google would introduce separate services for establishing an AI model lab, providing Bangladeshi engineers with training in AI, developing local startup entrepreneurs and enhancing their innovative capabilities, and encouraging investors to invest in this sector.

In response, the Google representative said they were interested in these areas and would review potential areas of cooperation. 

Kyle Gardner said there were currently some limitations to establishing a local office in Bangladesh and assured that the matter would be considered in the future.

The BTRC also advised Google to develop effective cooperation and partnerships not only with the commission but also with relevant government offices, departments and ministries to expand the scope of multidimensional cooperation between Google and the government and strengthen mutual cooperation.

The Google Public Policy Head welcomed the views of the BTRC chairman and expressed his commitment to working more closely with the relevant ministries and the BTRC.

The meeting was also attended by BTRC Systems and Services Department Director General Brig Gen Shahzad Pervez Mohiuddin, Engineering and Operations Department Director General Brig Gen Shafiul Azam Parvez, Systems and Services Department Director Lt Colonel Md. Kamrul Hasan Mamun and Deputy Director SM Taifur Rahman.