DHAKA, Nov 5, 2024 (BSS) – The World Bank (WB) today recommended strengthening the Bangladesh Data Protection Board (BDPB), as outlined in the draft Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) 2024, to align with global best practices.

The recommendation came from the Nay Constantine, Digital Development Specialist at the World Bank (WB), and consultant and lawyer Prakhar Bhardwaj, who were presenting a PowerPoint titled `Advancing Digital Transformation in Bangladesh with Robust Data Protection’ during an opinion exchange meeting on PDPA 2024 at the conference room of ICT Division, said a press release.

They suggested amending the bill to specify that BDPB has an independent mandate, explicitly outlining its authority to make autonomous decisions on data protection matters without external interference. 

Chaired by ICT Division Secretary Shish Haider Chowdhury, the function was addressed, among others by, former Law Secretary and Team Leader of Relief  Shahidul Huq, Executive Director in-charge of Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) Dr Mohammed Mehedi Hassan, Practice Manager for Digital Development Global Practice, South Asia Region of WB Vyjayanti T. Desai, Project Director of Enhancing Digital Government and Economy (EDGE) Md Shakhawat Hossain, Digital Development Specialist of WB Suparna Roy.  

The presentation not only outlined key aspects of digital transformation but also put forth several recommendations aligned with global best practices to further enhance the draft Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). 

The recommendations include introduce the concept of Data Protection Officers and Data Protection Impact Assessments, right for data subjects not to be subject to decision-making that is solely based on automated processing as well as the right to remedy.

In response to the recommendations, Shish Haider Chowdhury said the government will accommodate the rational one after getting opinion on it from the legal wing of ICT Division and stakeholders as early as possible. 

After incorporation of the recommendations, the draft PDPA will then send to the cabinet, he added.