ARTICLE 19, a UK based human rights organisation which focuses on the defence and promotion of freedom of expression, in a press statement on July 3 said that Digital Security Act (DSA) is a big threat to democracy and rule of law, reports Dhaka Tribune. It expressed grave concern regarding the bizarre filing of cases and arrests under the DSA across the country, for merely manifesting views on social media. ARTICLE 19, has strongly condemned these arrests and at the same time called on the concerned authorities to release those arrested under DSA immediately and unconditionally, and to withdraw the whimsical cases against them. Earlier, in 2018, ARTICLE 19 recorded 71 cases filed against practitioners of freedom of expression, including journalists, under the then section 57 of the ICT Act, and then newly enacted DSA which came into effect in October of the year. In 2019, the number of recorded cases initiated under DSA was 63. However, in the first six months of 2020, 113 cases have been recorded of this kind. 208 people of different classes and professions have been accused in these cases due to mere expression of opinion, of which 53 are journalists. Of the accused, 114 were arrested immediately, most of whom are still awaiting bail.