Shedding Light on Digital Harms: The Launch of SecDev’s Kiron Project in Bangladesh

On July 8, SecDev concluded the first workshop of the Kiron Project, which aims to address Digital Harms in Bangladesh. Project Kiron, meaning “sunshine” in Bangla, seeks to illuminate and tackle the challenges posed by the digital age.

SecDev’s work in Bangladesh began in the aftermath of the 2016 Holy Artisan Bakery terrorist attack. The origins of the attack were traced back to groups previously unknown in Bangladesh and from the diaspora community in Canada. Understanding the dynamics behind these threats became a priority for the Bangladeshi government and its supporters.

Prior to this, SecDev had spent over four years examining the dynamics behind violent extremism in Canada, particularly focusing on Canadians traveling to Syria to join ISIS. This effort was part of the Kanishka Project, established by Public Safety Canada | Sécurité publique Canada after the terrorist bombing of an Air India flight on June 23, 1985—the worst terrorist attack in Canadian history.

Over the years, SecDev provided the government of Bangladesh and UNDP with detailed reports on the emerging digital ecosystem surrounding extremist groups. This included analysis during the COVID-19 lockdowns, specifically looking at disinformation campaigns. Nearly 100 reports were produced over eight years, offering critical insights.

The Kiron Project is a direct successor to SecDev’s previous work with UNDP, supported by Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada as part of its security and development assistance to Bangladesh. Executed in partnership with UNDP Bangladesh and Rupantar , Kiron continues the monitoring efforts, focusing on building expertise within the government and civil society to monitor the new digital environment. Its scope extends beyond violent extremism to encompass various digital harms, including cybersecurity threats, personal harms like gambling, cybercrime, and other phenomena amplified through digital means.

The project has four key objectives:

1. Developing an AI-based knowledge platform incorporating over eight years of monitoring. This platform will help government and civil society partners identify trends and causal factors of digital harms to develop better-informed interventions.
2. Conducting capacity-building workshops, with three planned over the next 16 months, to enhance research methods, tools, and approaches.
3. Providing ongoing mentorship to ensure the sustainable growth of expertise in addressing digital harms.
4. Facilitating a comprehensive understanding of digital harms, enabling stakeholders to devise effective strategies.

Project Kiron is led by Sabah Ahmed and Rifat Nadia . SecDev CEO Rafal Rohozinski delivered the keynote address at the workshop openning.

SecDev’s commitment to addressing digital harms extends beyond Bangladesh.

SecDev's work in West Africa, Central Asia and South East Asia, Syria, Yemen, and advisory roles for platforms like Facebook, Google, and TikTok demonstrates our dedication to strengthening the capacity of governments, social media platforms, and wider communities. As digital threats become increasingly sophisticated, the need for appropriate strategies is more pressing than ever. Through projects like Kiron, SecDev aims to ensure that all stakeholders are prepared to navigate the complexities of the digital age.

For more information and access to Secdev publications visit our website or Substack channel.

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