Digital Security Act, 2018 [Draft] Regulations for Digital and Social Media Platforms 2021 [Draft] Over the Top Content Based Service Provision and Management Policy, 2022 ●​ Does not regulate deepfake pornography or provide measures to remove or stop distribution of content deemed illegal under the law. ●​ Enacted to address cybercrime, digital threats, and protect online information. ●​ Criminalized spreading "false information" and "digital espionage." ●​ Broad language restricted speech creating potential for misuse and arbitrary enforcement. ●​ Introduces intermediary liability on digital, social media, and over-the-top (OTT) platforms, requiring local registration, content moderation, and a complaints system. ●​ Expand BTRC’s authority for content removal. ●​ Risk restricting access to information and communication and limiting freedom of expression. ●​ Proposes banning OTT platforms from offering news, talk shows, and current affairs, and restricting broad categories of prohibited content. ●​ Requires platforms to categorize content by age and establish mechanisms for handling complaints. ●​ Mandates OTT platform registration with the Information Ministry and grants BTRC authority to block or remove prohibited content. Cyber Security Act, 2023 ●​ Repeals the Digital Security Act 2018 but retains most of its offenses, continuing to restrict free speech. ●​ Like its predecessors, it contains broadly defined offenses that enable subjective interpretation, facilitating censorship, arbitrary arrests, and vexatious legal actions. [Proposed] Personal ●​ Removes the localization requirement for sensitive and Data Protection Bill, user-generated data but retains it for undefined categories 2024 of “classified data” without any procedural safeguards (Shiekh, 2024). ●​ Allows personal and non-personal data to be transferred for inter-state trade, international relations, or as determined by the government (Islam, 2023). 10