Dhaka, July 31 — The Government of Bangladesh has announced the reopening of social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, which had been suspended amid violence and vandalism during the quota reform movement. State Minister for Information Technology, Junaid Ahmed Palak, confirmed that these platforms would be accessible again from Wednesday afternoon.

The decision follows a meeting between representatives of Facebook and TikTok and the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), where the companies addressed their roles in the recent unrest. During the virtual meeting, Facebook representatives expressed regret over their platform's involvement in the violence. TikTok officials pledged to adhere more closely to the values and culture of Bangladesh and to exercise greater caution in content moderation.

Although YouTube's representative was not present at the meeting, the company sent a letter expressing regret and requested a future meeting with the BTRC to discuss the issues further.

The BTRC had previously summoned the social media giants on July 28, seeking explanations for specific video content related to the quota movement. The suspension of these platforms began on July 18, following the government's decision to halt mobile and broadband internet services on July 17, in response to escalating violence.

The restoration of social media services marks a significant step toward normalcy after weeks of unrest. The government's actions reflect a balancing act between maintaining public order and respecting freedom of expression. The reopening of these platforms is expected to facilitate communication and information-sharing, although the authorities have urged the public and social media companies to remain vigilant and responsible.

As the situation stabilizes, the government's engagement with social media companies underscores the importance of collaboration in managing digital content and ensuring it aligns with national interests. The ongoing dialogue between the BTRC and these platforms is likely to focus on enhancing content moderation and preventing the spread of harmful material.