Facebook, the world’s largest social media platform with around 2.4 billion users, has assured the government that it will comply with Bangladesh’s tax and value added tax (VAT) laws while operating in the country.

A team of officials representing Facebook pledged to conduct monthly meetings with the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) and other vested quarters to ensure transparency in their activities, according to Post and Telecom Minister Mustafa Jabbar.

The team also said they would take regulatory issues seriously as per the Digital Security Act 2018, Tax and VAT Act.

Jabbar informed the media of this development following a virtual meeting with Facebook’s regional headquarters in Singapore yesterday.

During the meeting, the minister urged Facebook to avoid disseminating Bangladesh’s sensitive information on terrorism, sectarianism, sedition, pornography and anti-socio-cultural values from either home or abroad.

He also asked the social media giant to ensure that personal, social or state data is secured as per the country’s laws.

“It is Facebook’s responsibility to comply with all the relevant laws and regulations of Bangladesh, including the Digital Security Act,” Jabbar said.

“Our country and our society must give our citizens the opportunity to use Facebook safely,” he added.

In April, Facebook launched its third-party fact-checking programme in Bangladesh as part of its ongoing efforts to reduce the spread of misinformation and improve the quality of news people find on its platform.

The minister also emphasised on the need to appoint representative in Bangladesh, which could help Facebook pay taxes to the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and during proper translation and application of Bangla language in the social media platform.

Recalling the laws of Bangladesh, its traditional culture, values and norms, the minister said there are laws in the country that even Facebook will have to adhere to.

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