Writ Filed Against Mandatory National ID for Social Security Benefits
On June 16, a writ petition was filed in the Supreme Court challenging the government’s decision to mandate national identity cards for receiving social security allowances in 28 districts. Advocate Bimal Pokharel, who filed the petition, seeks to overturn the Council of Ministers’ decision, which took effect on June 6. The petition argues that requiring national identity cards will prevent individuals without them from receiving social security allowances, causing distress among the elderly, disabled, and single women who rely on these benefits. The petition also requests an interim order to halt the implementation of this mandate, highlighting the severe impact it could have on those dependent on social security for essentials like food, clothing, and medicine.
Earlier, on June 14, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane announced the expedited integration of national identity cards with various government services. The Cabinet has approved incorporating these cards into social security, health insurance, banking and financial services, telephone and SIM card issuance, social security fund services, company registration and renewal, land purchase, and vehicle registration and renewal. This integration aims to enhance the utility of national identity cards and streamline their linkage with multiple services. Additionally, the Ministry of Home Affairs has deployed five under-secretaries to 18 districts to facilitate the delivery of national identity card services.
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Government to Introduce AI Policy in Next Fiscal Year
The government plans to introduce an artificial intelligence (AI) policy in the next fiscal year, as announced by Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma in the parliament. This policy aims to leverage the latest technology in the IT sector. Sharma emphasized that necessary resources have been allocated to expedite policy formulation, and an ecosystem will be created for the use, promotion, and regulation of AI. Additionally, a digital literacy program will be implemented across all seven provinces to promote safer IT use and reduce the digital divide, supporting socio-economic transformation and increased access for the underprivileged.
NTA Publishes Roster of Cyber Security Auditors for FY 2080/81
Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has published a list of Information Security (IS) and Cloud Auditors for the cyber security auditing of service providers for the FY 2080/81 BS. According to the Cyber Security By-laws 2077, every service provider licensed by the Authority must undergo an annual audit by government-designated IS and Cloud Auditors. Pursuant to the application called by the NTA earlier, three Nepal-based cyber security firms i.e. Biz Serve IT Pvt. Ltd., Cynical Technology Pvt. Ltd., and Eminence Ways Pvt. Ltd., have been selected for the IS and Cloud auditing.
Committee Proposes Tech-Driven Reforms to Nepal’s Tax System
The High-level Advisory Committee on Tax System Reform has recommended a series of tech-driven enhancements to Nepal’s tax system, advocating the use of the latest information technology like artificial intelligence. For Nepali resident companies exporting electronic services, such as software, the committee proposed maintaining the same tax rate as exports on income from these transactions for the next ten years. The committee also suggested imposing a tax on the International Internet Service Providers based on their utilization of Nepal’s infrastructure and access to customers in Nepal, alongside a consumption-based ‘Digital Data Tax’ on the usage of the supplied bandwidth. Further recommendations include facilitating the international payment gateway system and increasing the digital payment limits while reducing the cash payment limits.
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DRN Organized Digital Safety and Hygiene Sessions in Community School
From June 16-19, 2024, Digital Rights Nepal conducted a series of informative and engaging digital safety and hygiene sessions at Viswa Niketan Secondary School, Tripureswor. Over 600 students from grades 9-10 participated, delving into crucial topics such as digital rights, safety, and hygiene.
Digital Rights Nepal led over 20 classes on internet usage, cyber harm, netiquette, digital safety measures, cyber laws, and mechanisms for reporting and seeking help. This initiative aimed to empower young minds with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the digital world responsibly and securely.
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National Summit on Artificial Intelligence- 2024 concluded
On 15 June 2024, Digital Rights Nepal collaborated with the Digital Media Foundation to convene the National Summit on Artificial Intelligence. At a time when various government agencies are developing different AI policies and strategies separately and in silos, this convention provided a platform for over 200 participants from across the country. Attendees included experts, policymakers, political representatives, service providers, researchers, and members of the public who discussed different dimensions of artificial intelligence in Nepal.
At the conference, Digital Rights Nepal Executive Director Santosh Sigdel moderated a session on “Integration of AI in Public Services: Potentials and Pitfalls,” featuring representatives from the public sector, private sector, and tech industry. The session highlighted the urgency of establishing a national strategy on AI, streamlining government data management systems, prioritizing the building and sustaining of technical capacity, and forging partnerships with the private sector to accelerate the integration of AI in public service delivery. The other two sessions focused on the future of media and governing AI.
The national conference has contributed to the emerging public discourse on AI in Nepal and raised many important questions that need to be considered by stakeholders, including civil society, in the coming days to shape pro-people AI policies.
#AISummit2024 #DigitalRightsNepal #AIinNepal #AIRegulation |
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Publication
Social Media Regulation and the Rule of Law
Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and CLJ published a report titled ‘Social media regulations and the Rule of law: Key Trends in Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh’. This report comprehensively analyzes the pivotal role social media plays in national security, and how human rights—such as free speech and privacy—are compromised by Internet shutdowns, content blocks, and information flow control. By exploring legislative frameworks and enforcement mechanisms, the report offers a holistic understanding of current efforts and provides recommendations to safeguard cyberspace and regulate social media platforms.
Focusing on three South Asian countries—India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh—this report examines each nation’s unique challenges and opportunities regarding cybersecurity and social media regulation. India, with its burgeoning tech industry and vast online population, strives to balance innovation and security. Sri Lanka faces the need for strong regulations following social media’s role in recent political upheavals. Bangladesh, amid its digital transformation, contends with evolving cybersecurity threats amidst rapid technological advancements. These neighboring countries influence each other’s approaches to cybersecurity and social media regulation, making this report a valuable comparative analysis of these issues.
Full read at: Social media regulations and the Rule of law: Key Trends in Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh |
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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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