Digital Rights Weekly/Year 2/Issue 04

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Blocking and Censorship on Rise: PCN ordered to take down 21 websites

The Press Council Nepal (PCN) has taken action against 45 media outlets for violating the Code of Ethics over the past six months. According to the statement issued by the Council, it has written to the Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA) to block 21 websites, claiming that the sites were not registered or listed in Nepal.

There is no explicit rule in Nepal on blocking or taking down of the websites. The Electronic Transaction Act (ETA) has not mandated any authority to block websites. However, the PCN has developed a practice of recommending take down orders against websites and the NTA has been using this authority without any legal basis. Blocking and censorship of online content, without a legal basis, is violation of freedom of expression and opinion, right to information and digital rights. Thus, DRN urges authorities to exercise their rights within legal jurisdiction and not to obstruct freedom of expression and right to information.

ISPs Seek NTA Help After Local Bodies Demand Internet Tax

Internet service providers (ISPs) have reached out to the regulator NTA through their association ISPAN, seeking assistance after local governments have begun imposing taxes on their internet services. The ISPs claim that this action by local governments is illegal and goes against the federal government’s goal of making internet access affordable for all. They have conveyed this issue to the NTA through ISPAN, in hopes of finding a solution to the problem. The imposition of additional taxes on internet services by local governments has created additional challenges for the ISP industry.

Telecom prepares for 5G, while some areas still have 3G coverage

Telecom companies in Nepal are currently in the process of testing 5G technology, while some areas in the country are still without access to 4G services. Out of the total 753 local levels in Nepal, only 739 have been provided with 4G services so far. This means that consumers in 14 local levels are still unable to use 4G services. A spokesperson for Nepal Telecom, Shobhan Adhikari, stated that 4G services have yet to be provided in remote and geographically challenging areas.

Access to the internet, an important aspect of digital rights, entails availability of fast and high-quality internet in affordable price. Access to fast and high-quality and affordable internet is necessary for many aspects of modern life, such as online education, telemedicine, and e-commerce. DRN urge the government to arrange for universal access to the internet and ensure that the service is fast, of high-quality and affordable.

Nepal Police’s Data Leaked on Dark Web

On September 21, 2022, a significant data leak occurred when the Nepal Police server was hacked, releasing sensitive information. According to the reports, the data, which included internal communications and secret plans, had a file size of 2.34 GB and was posted on two dark web platforms, “Breach Forum” and “Hydra Market.” This is the first instance of a sensitive data leak in Nepal’s history. The incident highlights the weakness of the government’s cybersecurity system and the lack of responsibility for security among government agencies. The leaked information could also potentially be used for phishing attacks on other accounts within the Nepal Police organization. The department was reportedly unaware of the data leak until it surfaced on the dark web.

Microsoft to Invest $10 Billion in ChatGPT

On Monday, Microsoft announced a significant long-term investment in OpenAI, the San Francisco-based AI lab responsible for developing the ChatGPT chatbot. The specific details of the investment have not been revealed, but it is reported that Microsoft will be investing $10 billion in the company. This new investment came after Microsoft’s initial investment of over $3 billion in OpenAI, showcasing the significance of OpenAI’s technology to the future of Microsoft.

India issues new rule on social media endorsement

On 20 January, Indian government issued a new guidelines requiring social media influencers to disclose any “material” interests, such as gifts, hotel stays, equity, discounts, and awards, when promoting products, services, or schemes. The guidelines, named ‘Endorsement Know Hows’ were issued by the Department of Consumers Affairs, and apply to celebrities, influencers, and virtual media influencers on social media platforms.

DRN Launched Social Media Campaign for Data Privacy week

Data Privacy Week, held from January 24th to January 28th, aims to raise awareness about the handling and use of digital data privacy by companies. In 1981, a treaty titled “The Convention for the Protection of Individuals with Regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data“, shortly known as Convention 108, was formed by Council of Europe. In honor of first international treaty addressing data privacy protection, Data Protection Day was established on April 26th, 2006, with the date of the observance set on January 28.

During Data Privacy Week, Digital Rights Nepal (DRN) launched a social media campaign to raise awareness about the significance of protecting personal information. The campaign was intended to inform individuals about data privacy laws and regulations, provide tips for safeguarding personal information, and offer resources for learning about best practices for data privacy and security.

Digital Rights Weekly is a week-based update on Digital Rights and ICT issues, that happened throughout the week, complied and analyzed from the digital rights perspective by Digital Rights Nepal (DRN). DRN is a not-for-profit initiative dedicated to the protection and promotion of digital rights, including the right to online freedom of expression and association, online privacy, access to information, and related issues such as internet governance, cyber law/policies, and cyber securities in Nepal.