Bangladesh’s telecom authority today clarified that it has no plans to restrict internet communication apps like Viber, WhatsApp, Imo and others.

The ‘clarification’ came days after the telecom authority chief hinted of such before State Minister Tarana Halim said the government did not have plans to curb such apps.

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) floated a press statement this afternoon clarifying its stance on such communication apps. It was signed by BTRC Secretary Sarwar Alam.

Last Friday, BTRC Chairman Shahjahan Mahmood said the communication apps were responsible for decline in international call termination via the legal channel. He also said BTRC was going to develop guidelines for them by two or three months.

Two days later on Sunday, State Minister for Posts and Telecommunications Tarana Halim voiced out that the government does not have any plans to restrict these apps.