Digitally Right has released the second edition of Technology, People, and Policy, which includes an additional research paper from the Tech Policy Fellowship’s second cohort. In this volume, our fellows explore critical issues at the intersection of technology, policy, and human rights in Bangladesh. The newly added paper explores the legal status of app-based transport service providers in Bangladesh, shedding light on the gaps in existing labor laws and regulations and the resulting challenges faced by millions of gig workers.

Other contributions to the volume delve into a range of pressing digital issues in the country: cyberbullying among adolescents in Dhaka, the limited effectiveness of internet shutdowns in combating misinformation, and the impact of discriminatory digital laws on gender-diverse communities. Additional studies examine the growing threat of technology-facilitated human trafficking, vulnerabilities in the protection of personal data through Bangladesh’s online passport services, and the digitalization of the microfinance sector—particularly its effects on women borrowers—highlighting both the opportunities and the challenges in advancing financial inclusion.

This publication is a testament to the fellows’ commitment to fostering an open, inclusive, and rights-respecting digital landscape.

We extend our gratitude to our knowledge partner, Access Now, for their invaluable support. A special thanks to our mentors and editorial team for their dedication to refining these research contributions.

We hope these papers enrich policy discussions and inspire further research and advocacy in the evolving tech landscape.

Read the full publication below