Digital Rights Weekly/ Year 3 Issue 31

Aug 02, 2024

PCN Acts Beyond its Jurisdiction
On July 30, Press Council Nepal (PCN) addressed violations of the journalist code of conduct by taking action against 31 YouTube and social media platforms for spreading misleading, indecent, and one-sided content. The council issued directives to three media outlets—Hello TV Nepal, PNP Media, and Nagarikpatra—to remove or edit the offending content on their social media pages and youtube channel; and provide explanations within 24 hours. Additionally, 28 so-called non-media YouTube channels were reported to the Nepal Police Cyber Bureau for removal of content and further investigation for distributing obscene meterials.
Council Chairman Bal Krishna Basnet stressed the need for accurate and ethical digital content and urged YouTubers to take responsibility for false and one-sided information. He called for better regulation and streamlining of content by creators.
However, the PCN’s lack of jurisdiction over online content beyond journalistic content raises concerns about content moderation by unauthorized agency and exercise of freedom of expression online. Digital Rights Nepal (DRN) has calls on the Federation of Nepali Journalists and other stakeholders to engage in a nuanced discussion on the role and scope of the PCN.

PM Oli Urged Use of Citizen App to Enhance Government Service Efficiency
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has urged the use of the Nagarik App to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of government services. During a meeting with secretaries at the Prime Minister’s Office, Oli emphasized that the app could simplify service delivery and eliminate the long queues in obtaining public services. He highlighted the importance of treating all citizens with dignity, including those from poorer backgrounds and senior citizens. Oli criticized the current system where even elderly individuals face difficulties due to lengthy wait times and called for a more compassionate approach from government employees.Nepal’s First Drone Image-Based Metric House Numbering System Launched
Changunarayan Municipality in Bhaktapur has introduced Nepal’s first drone image-based metric house numbering system. Announced on 29 July, this system allows residents to find their house numbers by pressing their house location for three seconds on street maps and the municipality’s open data portal. The municipality plans to add a feature for managing complaints related to the system. According to the municipality house numbering has been completed for structures built up to 2078 BS, with newer constructions to be added soon.

Meta to Pay $1.4 Billion for Unauthorized Biometric Data Use
Meta has agreed to a $1.4 billion settlement with the state of Texas over the unauthorized use of biometric data, marking the largest settlement ever from a single state’s legal action. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced the historic resolution, which addresses the illegal use of facial recognition data from Texas residents by Facebook’s now-defunct photo-tagging tool, “Tag Suggestions.” The settlement, to be paid over five years, reflects a strong stance against tech giants’ privacy violations and sets a significant precedent for future legal actions. Meanwhile, Google faces similar legal challenges regarding biometric data and user privacy.

Home Minister Pushes for Expedited Distribution of National Identity Cards
Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has urged the swift distribution of national identity cards, highlighting a slowdown in the process during his inspection of the Department of National Identity Cards and Registration at Singha Durbar. Despite collecting details of 15.1 million citizens, only 4.3 million cards have been printed and 847,000 distributed so far. Emphasizing the role of national identity cards in good governance, Lekhak noted their importance for state-provided facilities and future planning.

Madhesh Province to Enhance Public Services Through E-Governance
Madhesh province plans to maximize the use of information technology to improve the effectiveness of public services. Discussions with relevant agencies and experts have been held to implement e-governance, focusing on adopting best practices from across the country. Dr. Sohan Sah, Vice-Chairman of the Madhesh Province Policy and Planning Commission, emphasized that digitization will begin at the government level and gradually include all stakeholders and service providers.

Civil society joint brief on the UN Global Digital Compact
The civil society organizations and individuals, active in the UN Global Digital Compact (GDC) process, have expressed concerns about the GDC’s current state from a human rights perspective. They highlighted the breaking of the silence procedure on UN GDC Revision 3 and emphasize their extensive involvement in the process over the past two years. They urged the UN and its Member States to address technology’s impact on human rights, peace, security, the rule of law, and development. However, they find the GDC outcome document lacking in reflecting the realities of diverse communities. Key concerns include human rights and gender, support for the OHCHR, inclusive internet governance, consistent terminology, and decentralization of power.

Opportunities

yIGF Nepal Opens Applications for 2024 Fellowship Program
youth IGF Nepal (yIGF Nepal) has opened applications for 2024 Fellowship Program, aimed at raising awareness and understanding of Internet governance among young people in Nepal. The program ensures equal participation from various regions and backgrounds, emphasizing the importance of including youth perspectives in Internet governance. Only individuals residing outside of Kathmandu Valley are eligible to apply. Applications are open until 9 August.
To apply : Youth IGF Nepal 2024 Fellowship Application

DRN activities

Stakeholders Consulted on Media Monitoring Tool
Digital Rights Nepal hosted an event on July 31 to share the updated draft of Media Monitoring Tool. Following a comprehensive assessment of press freedom violation frameworks and indicators, core-stakeholders had agreed to update the existing indicators to reflect emerging forms of violations, particularly online violence, and to standardize them. As part of the process to finalize the draft monitoring tool based on the input from the core stakeholders was shared in this event with the journalist and media personnel. Insights collected were considered crucial to refining and finalizing the framework, enabling it to address the challenges of monitoring media freedom violations in Nepal.

Resources

Engagemedia lunches Digital Rights School Curriculum
Enagemedia has introduced the Digital Rights School Curriculum, developed by the GIF team in collaboration with the GIF Consortium. This comprehensive and dynamic resource aims to empower individuals, trainers, educators, organizations, and communities with the knowledge and skills to navigate the digital landscape while effectively promoting internet freedoms and protecting digital rights.
For more: Digital Rights School Curriculum

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.