An investigation has found that the digital landscape in Bangladesh is flooded with fake content ahead of the February 12 election. The volume of AI-generated disinformation aimed at influencing voters more than tripled between mid-December and mid-January, posing a serious challenge to democracy in the digital age. Nearly 100 distinct pieces of AI-generated content amassed 1.6 million engagements within 24 hours of being posted, primarily reflecting the fragmented political atmosphere. The most aggressive digital exchanges occur between unofficial pro-BNP and pro–Jamaat-e-Islami groups, with pro-Jamaat actors being notably prolific. The Awami League remnants are also reportedly fabricating sexually compromising images of female political figures.
Recent fact-checks revealed that the appetite for deception does not require advanced technology. A genuine 2023 video of President Mohammed Shahabuddin was misrepresented, while fake news-bearing photocards circulated. The digital environment rewards both AI-generated and older misinformation equally in terms of sharing. With digital literacy lagging behind technological growth, the potential for fake information to incite real-world violence is alarmingly high in Bangladesh.
The response from tech giants to this crisis has been inadequate. While platforms like Facebook have the capability to detect inauthentic behavior, their enforcement in regions like Bangladesh is insufficient. Authorities are urged to establish a working group with Meta, TikTok, and YouTube to demand stronger content moderation during the election. Companies should be pressured to remove harmful content swiftly and to publish weekly transparency reports regarding political advertisements.
Disinformation should be treated as a serious issue needing urgent action. To mitigate risk, the Election Commission needs to collaborate with cybersecurity agencies to de-platform persistent offenders and utilize independent fact-checkers for rapid responses against misinformation. This proactive approach is critical to managing and reducing the spread of falsehoods at this pivotal time for Bangladesh.
