Delays and Challenges in 5G Network Roll Out
One-and-a-half years after Nepal Telecom began testing its 5G network , progress has been slow and fraught with challenges. Despite launching internal tests in Kathmandu in early 2023 and installing 5G devices in several locations, including Babarmahal, Sundhara, Pokhara, and Birgunj, the company itself remains unsatisfied with the results.
Telecom spokesperson Kishor Kumar Bhatta acknowledged that while the company has invested in 5G, the project has stalled due to equipment import delays and technical challenges. The ecosystem in Nepal is not yet ready for widespread 5G connectivity, with a lack of 5G-compatible handsets and slow regulatory approvals for equipment imports being major hurdles. Although the Nepal Telecommunication Authority allocated 60 MHz of free frequency for 5G testing in 2021, public trials have not yet begun, leaving the roadmap for commercial 5G deployment unclear.
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Teachers’ Personnel Record Website Got Hacked!!
The Department of National Personnel Records (Teacher), which holds data on community school teachers in Nepal, has been hacked, resulting in unauthorized access to its website. Previously, the site was compromised to promote online gambling, whereas this time it is completely down. A cybersecurity researcher suspects that the Indonesian hacker group ‘Feeds Exploit’ is behind the attack. This group had targeted Nepalese government websites in retaliation for the country’s support of Israel in the past.
Controversial UN Cybercrime Treaty Approved Amidst Human Rights Concerns
On 8 August 2024, United Nations member states approved a landmark treaty targeting cybercrime after three years of negotiations, despite strong opposition from human rights activists and some tech companies. The treaty, which will be formally adopted by the General Assembly, aims to combat cybercrime more effectively, particularly in areas like child sexual abuse and money laundering. However, critics argue that the treaty’s broad scope could lead to global surveillance and repression, threatening human rights and digital freedom. The treaty will enter into force once ratified by 40 member nations. Despite its adoption, there were significant concerns about the inclusion of human rights safeguards, with some countries, including Russia and Iran, expressing dissatisfaction with the final text.
Court Found Google Illegally Maintaining Monopoly
A US judge has ruled that Google acted unlawfully to maintain its monopoly in online search and advertising, delivering a significant blow to its parent company, Alphabet. The ruling follows a lawsuit filed by the US Department of Justice in 2020, accusing Google of controlling about 90% of the online search market by paying billions to be the default search engine on devices. This decision could lead to severe penalties, including a potential breakup of the company. Google plans to appeal, while US authorities see the ruling as a historic win for antitrust enforcement.
Nepal Police Cautioned of Rising Social Media Employment Scams
Nepal Police has alerted the public to the growing issue of social media scams that falsely offer employment opportunities. These scams often exploit the names and logos of government and private organizations in Nepal to mislead individuals, especially targeting foreign IDs. The police encourage everyone to remain vigilant and report any suspected fraudulent activities. Victims or those who suspect fraud can reach out to Nepal Police using the following numbers: 100 (Nepal Police), 103 (Traffic Police), 104 (Children Search Coordination Center), and 1113 (Police Related Complaints).
eSewa App Returns to Google Play Store After Temporary Removal
Mobile wallet service provider eSewa’s app is now back on the Google Play Store after a brief absence that left users puzzled. The app, which was functioning normally on users’ devices, disappeared from the Play Store, causing some confusion. The company has since confirmed that the app is once again available for download. eSewa explained that the app’s temporary unavailability was due to a transition from eSewa Pvt. Ltd. to eSewa Limited, requiring Play Store updates. |
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DRN activities
Cybersecurity Policy and Digital Safety Discussed
On 8 August, DRN organized a Discussion on cyber security policy and digital safety concerns to dive deep into the National Cybersecurity Policy 2023 and its impact on digital landscape. Participants including technical experts, advocates, and stakeholders explored the implications of the National Internet Gateway (NIG) on digital safety and human rights, and discussed digital safety tools and actionable strategies to protect our online freedoms.
A significant portion of the discussion centered around the National Internet Gateway (NIG), with participants examining its potential consequences on privacy, security, and free expression in the digital space. The session also featured an exchange of ideas on digital safety tools and actionable strategies to safeguard online rights, ensuring that the implementation of such policies does not infringe on the freedoms of internet users in Nepal.
The discussion highlighted the need for a balanced approach to cybersecurity that considers both national security and the preservation of individual rights in the increasingly connected world. The event underscored the importance of ongoing dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders to navigate the complexities of cybersecurity and digital safety.
#Cybersecurity #DigitalSafety #NIG #DigitalRightsNepal #StakeholdersDiscussion
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Stakeholders Examines AI Concept Paper
On 9 August 2024, Digital Rights Nepal (DRN) organized a stakeholder discussion on the Government of Nepal’s AI Concept Paper. The event gathered participants from the National Human Rights Commission, civil society, media, tech companies, civic tech organizations, and academia to explore the paper’s impact on human rights, privacy, and innovation. Attendees examined the government’s AI strategy, emphasizing the need for a regulatory framework that balances technological advancement with ethical considerations. Key areas for research, collaboration, and advocacy were identified to ensure AI development aligns with human rights standards. The event highlighted the importance of multi-stakeholder dialogue in shaping ethical AI policies.
#AIConceptPaper #HumanRights #AIandInnovation #StakeholderDiscussion
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Opportunity
Apply for The Digital Everyday 2024!
“The Digital Everyday” is a 13-week online learning program running from September to November 2024, focusing on how gender, sexuality, and technology intersect, particularly from a South Asian perspective. The course, organized by Point of View in collaboration with Design Beku and the Digital Narratives Studio (Chinese University of Hong Kong), explores topics like algorithmic bodies, resistant technologies, and the digital everyday through a feminist lens. Applications close on 16 August 2024, with selections announced by 26 August 2024.
To apply: Apply for The Digital Everyday 2024! (google.com)
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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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