Nepal Government Decided to ban TikTok
On 13 November, Nepal government banned TikTok in Nepal, citing the need to preserve “social harmony”. This move has sparked widespread debate and criticism. Just days before the ban, authorities had issued a directive to tighten content regulation on all social media platforms, addressing issues such as hate speech, sexual exploitation, drug promotion, fake news, terrorism-related messages, and the unauthorized sharing of private photos.
Communication Minister Rekha Sharma, speaking at the cabinet meeting, expressed concerns that TikTok was disrupting “our social harmony, family structure, and family relations.” This move has ignited a contentious discussion around the delicate balance between individual freedoms and societal harmony, bringing into focus key issues such as freedom of expression and information, government oversight of online platforms, and the potential encroachment on the freedom of speech.
Critics argue that the ban infringes upon individual liberties and represents a significant encroachment on freedom of speech. They emphasize the importance of safeguarding personal freedoms while simultaneously addressing concerns about the dissemination of harmful or inappropriate content and maintaining social order.
The decision has faced strong opposition from various segments of Nepalese society, including artists, digital rights activists, civil society, and political leaders. Public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the constitutionality of the TikTok ban has been initiated by representatives from diverse stakeholders and civil society shortly after the conclusion of the Tihar holiday.
Digital Rights Nepal, along with 30 civil society groups, vehemently condemned the government’s move, asserting that the decision violated constitutional guarantees, and called for the government to reconsider its decision.
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Nepal Telecom Faces Revenue Decline
The state-owned telecom giant, Nepal Telecom, has experienced a decline in both revenue and profit, as highlighted in the first-quarter financial report of the current FY 2080/81. The report indicates a 3.54 percent decrease in total income, with the company earning Rs 10.64 billion in the first three months. This figure is notably lower than the Rs 11.04 billion earned during the same period in the previous FY 2079/80, reflecting a decrease of Rs 391.29 million.
Nepalgunj Embraces Digital Transformation
The Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City has successfully completed the digitization process for all 23 wards, ushering in a new era of efficiency and user-friendly public services. This initiative, aimed at expediting services, includes the implementation of a home number system, document management system, and an integrated mobile app. Mayor Prashant Bista formally launched these digital enhancements during a program held on 9 November.
NRB Raises the Limit to Load Funds into Digital Wallets
Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has revised the minimum fund loading limit for digital wallet accounts in response to the surge in digital transactions in recent months. The regulatory authority has decided to raise the limit, allowing users to load money into their digital wallets up to 20 times per day. This adjustment to the unified directive on the payment system reflects the central bank’s recognition of the growing demand for digital transactions and aims to facilitate increased flexibility for users in managing their wallet accounts.
NT To Establish Model Districts for Enhanced Telecom Services
Nepal Telecom has unveiled a strategic initiative to create model districts, aiming to deliver high-quality services through cutting-edge technology. The company envisions providing top-notch telecommunication services to all settlements, highways, tourism hubs, and religious sites in these model districts, utilizing advanced technology wherever possible. In the initial phase, Nepal Telecom will roll out model services in Morang, Khotang, Udayapur, Dhanusha, Rautahat, Makawanpur, Sindhuli, Kaski, Gorkha, Dang, Gulmi, Surkhet, Jumla, Kailali, Bajura, Rukum West, Jajarkot, Bardiya, and Rolpa districts. The company aims to set a benchmark for quality telecommunication services, showcasing the potential for technological advancements in meeting the communication needs of diverse regions.
Meta Urges Congressional Regulation of App Stores to Safeguard Children
Meta, facing scrutiny over its platform’s impact on children, called on US lawmakers to regulate Google and Apple’s app stores. The appeal coincided with a Senate investigation into Meta’s failures in protecting children. In a blog post titled “Parenting in a Digital World Is Hard, Congress Can Make It Easier,” Meta’s global head of safety, Antigone Davis, advocated for federal legislation requiring app stores to notify parents when a child aged 13 to 16 downloads an app, seeking parental approval. While not explicitly naming Google or Apple, the proposed legislation would impact the Play Store and App Store, the world’s largest smartphone app platforms.
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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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