Government abolished NITC Abruptly
The government has abolished the National Information Technology Center (NITC), the primary custodian of data for government agencies. The Finance Minister, Prakash Saran Mahat, announced the abolition of NITC along with 20 other government bodies, as part of the annual budget for the fiscal year 2080/81 BS.
Under the new plan, NITC work and responsibility will be integrated into the Department of Information Technology (DoIT) under the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. According to Ministry, the merger process will be carefully executed to ensure that NITC’s responsibilities and operations remain unaffected.
However, the sudden abolition of NITC without prior notice or proper planning has left the officials at the center confused. NITC has been crucial in storing, managing, processing, and exchanging digital data, with over 1,400 government offices hosting their websites and more than 3,000 offices registering domain name systems with the center.
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Nepali Travel Companies Hacked Causing Substantial Losses
Several Nepali travel companies, known for selling international air tickets through the Global Distribution System (GDS), fell victim to a cyberattack. The ticket sales system of an international air service company was compromised by a group of foreign hackers, resulting in significant financial losses amounting to millions of rupees. The hackers employed fraudulent tactics by sending fake emails, posing as a foreign GDS company, to deceive Nepali travel companies. Through this scheme, they managed to issue tickets that led to financial damages for several companies, including Deurali Travels, Cosmo Travels, and C Link Travels.
Feature Phone Price Set to Rise in FY 2080/81 after Tax Revision
The price of feature phones in Nepal is expected to rise in the upcoming fiscal year FY 2080/81 BS due to revised tax policies implemented by the government. The government has announced excise duty of 5% for both the feature phones and smartphones through the recently announced budget for FY 2080/81. Presently, excise duty on smartphones is 5% whereas feature phones bear a 2.5% duty.
Despite smartphones becoming the preferred choice for many individuals over the past decade, there is still a significant demand for feature phones. According to a report by the Census Bureau of Statistics (CBS) Nepal, approximately 73.2% of households in Nepal continue to use feature phones, indicating their continued importance in the country.
Ministry of Home Affairs issued a Directive for TikTok Usage by Government Officials
In response to complaints regarding the inappropriate use of TikTok by government officials under its jurisdiction, the Ministry of Home Affairs has introduced stringent measures to regulate its usage during office hours. The ministry recently issued a directive instructing all government agencies under its purview to refrain from creating TikTok videos within office premises, while in office uniforms, and posting them on social media.
Furthermore, the directive prohibits the recording of TikTok videos using government vehicles and sharing them on social media platforms, as public officials were found to be posting unnecessary and unprofessional TikTok videos, disregarding the gravity and importance of their positions.
RTDF Connects 6,000 Ward Offices Nationwide with Broadband Internet
According to the latest report from the Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA), the Rural Telecommunication Development Fund (RTDF) has successfully completed the establishment of internet connectivity in approximately 6,000 ward offices across the country. Utilizing the allocated funds, a total of 5,933 ward offices have been equipped with broadband internet access.
Gandaki Province Unveils Vision for Digital Transformation as “Digital Gandaki Province”
During a Province Assembly session on Sunday, Gandaki Province Chief Prithvi Man Gurung presented the government’s policy and programs for the fiscal year 2080/81 BS, outlining an ambitious plan to develop Gandaki Province as a digital hub. The policy and program document emphasizes the province’s commitment to the electronic governance master plan, adopting the concept of “Digital Gandaki Province.” In addition, the establishment of ICT innovation labs is emphasized as a crucial component of the province’s journey towards digital transformation.
Biratnagar Metropolitan City Introduces Digital Literacy and Technology Curriculum in Community Schools
Biratnagar Metropolitan City has announced its plans to implement a digital literacy and technology-based curriculum in community schools starting from the upcoming fiscal year 2080-81. This initiative is being developed in collaboration with the US-based Equality Foundation, aiming to provide digital literacy and technology-focused education in 25 secondary schools. The program’s primary objective is to familiarize students and teachers with technology and enhance their ICT skills, thereby equipping them to meet the demands of the global job market.
MoCIT Introduces ‘Virtual Dialogue with The Minister’
In an effort to enhance the effectiveness of the ministry’s performance and promote direct communication with citizens, the Minister for Communications and Information Technology (MoCIT) has initiated a virtual meeting platform. This arrangement aims to facilitate the process of collecting suggestions and complaints from citizens more efficiently. As part of this initiative, the ministry’s website now features the ‘Virtual Dialogue with The Minister’ option, providing citizens with the opportunity to engage with the Minister through online conversations.
CSOs including DRN Raised their Concern over UNESCO’s Guidelines for Platform Regulation
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) from across the Asia Pacific region, including Digital Rights Nepal (DRN), have raised their concerns over UNESCO’s guidelines for regulating digital platforms. Their concerns mainly revolve around the potential risks, such as excessive local regulation without proper scrutiny, that may arise from these guidelines. Rather than promoting better regulation, there is a fear that the guidelines could be misused to justify increased regulation. Moreover, there is a worry that authoritarian regulators may find encouragement in these guidelines, leading to platforms complying with unjustified government requests.
In light of these concerns, CSOs are urging UNESCO to halt the current timeline and conduct an independent assessment of the guidelines’ impact on human rights. They stress the importance of including the perspectives and opinions of civil society in authoritarian contexts during this assessment.
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DRN Hosted ‘Collaborative Workshop on Regulation and Reporting of Hate Speech’
On June 4, 2023, Digital Rights Nepal organized a collaborative workshop titled “Regulation and Reporting of Hate Speech.” The primary objective of the workshop was to delve into the trends and regulations surrounding hate speech in Nepal, with a particular emphasis on the crucial role journalists play in addressing this issue. Notably, journalists, particularly those covering parliamentary affairs across various media outlets, participated in the workshop.
The workshop commenced with a comprehensive presentation that introduced the concept of hate speech, explored its impact on individuals, and examined the relevant laws in Nepal. This was followed by moderated group discussions, providing a platform for participants to identify different trends and regulatory approaches in tackling hate speech within the country. The discussions also offered an opportunity to explore the specific roles that journalists can undertake in combating hate speech. By leveraging their influence, journalists can promote constructive dialogue and responsible reporting, contributing to a more inclusive and respectful society.
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DRN Co-organized two-day Training on Online Safety and Cyber Security for Adolescents
Digital Rights Nepal (DRN), in collaboration with Sanrakshak Samaj Nepal (SASANE), organized a comprehensive two-day training session focused on online safety and cyber security for adolescent girls. A total of 21 participants actively took part in the training, which aimed to raise awareness and understanding about the potential risks associated with online activities.
The training covered crucial topics such as cyberbullying, online harassment, identity theft, and exposure to explicit content. Participants were educated on the importance of safeguarding personal information online, including effective strategies for protecting sensitive data such as passwords, addresses, and financial details. Furthermore, the training equipped the participants with knowledge and skills to recognize and prevent online exploitation, such as scams, phishing attempts, and grooming tactics employed by online predators. |
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Code for Nepal Opens Applications for Data Fellowship!!!
Code for Nepal, in collaboration with Data Camp, has called for applications for the Data Fellowship. This fellowship program aims to assist individuals, particularly those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, in developing their data skills and advancing in their personal and professional lives. A total of 150 Nepali individuals residing within and outside of Nepal will be selected for this fellowship.
Interested candidates can submit their applications before the deadline on June 29, 2023.
For more: Fellowship | Code for Nepal
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Digital Rights Weekly is a week-based update on Digital Rights and ICT issues, that happened throughout the week, compiled 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 laws/policies, and cyber securities in Nepal.
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