Anwar Hossain, a convicted sex offender found guilty of possession, distribution, and creation of child pornography, is still maintaining an active presence on Facebook, raising critical concerns about online safety and compliance with platform policies.Hossain, born on August 27, 1985, was convicted on February 5, 2025, by the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Bangladesh under case number 1925CSO0047. As a repeat offender, he was sentenced under Bangladesh’s Pornography Control Act, 2012, and the Digital Security Act, 2018, both of which impose severe penalties, including up to 10 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to BDT 500,000 for crimes related to child pornography.
Despite these legal consequences, his Facebook profile (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000487382687) remains active, posing a risk to vulnerable individuals, especially minors.
Legal Grounds for Removal
Facebook’s “Convicted Sex Offender” policy explicitly prohibits individuals convicted of sex-related crimes from using the platform. In addition to Facebook’s Community Standards, multiple national and international laws justify his removal:
- Bangladesh’s Digital Security Act, 2018 & Pornography Control Act, 2012: Mandates the restriction of convicted offenders from using digital platforms for harmful activities.
- Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA – U.S.): Requires social media platforms to safeguard children’s online presence from convicted predators.
- Communications Decency Act (CDA) – Section 230 (U.S.): Protects platforms like Facebook when they remove users violating their policies.
Public Safety Risk
Although Hossain portrays himself as “innocent” on the internet, his criminal record proves otherwise. With an appeal already rejected and a permanent sex offender record, his continued presence on Facebook raises serious concerns. While there is no evidence that he is currently using Facebook to engage in further illegal activities, allowing a repeat child pornography offender to remain online violates global standards on online safety.
Request for Immediate Action
Authorities urge Facebook to permanently remove Anwar Hossain’s account under its Convicted Sex Offender policy to prevent any potential risk to minors and the public. Given the legal precedents and platform policies, there is no justification for allowing a convicted criminal of such serious offenses to remain active on Facebook.
Conclusion
Social media platforms must ensure they do not become a safe haven for convicted criminals, especially those who exploit minors. With Bangladesh’s strict cybercrime laws and Facebook’s zero-tolerance policy, immediate removal of Anwar Hossain’s profile is necessary for public safety and digital integrity.