The government’s decision to launch social media, which has been closed in Bangladesh due to the issue of quota movement, may come today.

The authorities of Meta’s three platforms Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp and TikTok and YouTube are scheduled to issue an explanation today. State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Junaid Ahmed Palak will present the government’s position on the matter after appearing before the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) after explaining the respective authorities.TikTok has been banned in Bangladesh, along with three other platforms, for allegedly spreading violent content of the quota reform movement. YouTube is active on broadband internet but disabled on mobile. The regulatory body has directed the representatives of these three platform authorities to appear in person at BTRC on Wednesday and give an explanation.

However, till 2 pm yesterday (Tuesday), only TikTok responded to the email. So far YouTube and Meta have not responded to BTRC.

In this regard, after a meeting at the Bangladesh Computer Council on Tuesday afternoon, State Minister for Information Technology Junaid Ahmed Palak told journalists, “We have given time to Facebook, YouTube and TikTok till Wednesday.” We expected them to give written explanation. But we have not yet received their written or verbal explanation.

He said that TikTok has given a reply to the e-mail that they are very sincere about this. Wants to support the government. They also want explanations. The remaining two i.e. Meta and YouTube did not respond.

In another event at the secretariat in the evening, the state minister said that on Wednesday at 9 am, 10 am and 11 am I have given letters to three organizations to appear at BTRC and give an explanation. If we get their explanation within that time, after analyzing it and if not, we will be able to inform the decision (about opening) subject to discussions in BTRC.

The government shut down mobile internet from the night of July 17 amid violence surrounding the quota reform movement. Although mobile internet was launched on Sunday, social media remained closed.