Installment of AITS Cameras, CCTV, GPS tracking System: Nepal under Surveillance The government is implementing a surveillance initiative by mandating the installation of GPS tracking systems and CCTV cameras in public passenger vehicles. In response to the Simaltal incident, the Ministry of Home Affairs has mandated the implementation of enhanced safety measures, including the installation of CCTV, GPS tracking system and transponder systems in public transportation. Additionally, passengers are now required to purchase tickets through an online system to further bolster surveillance and safety. In a related effort, Bharatpur Metropolitan City’s plans to install 418 high-capacity CCTV cameras, including those with automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology, throughout its 29 wards. Similar advancements have been made in Kathmandu, where the city has deployed AI-enabled CCTV cameras, Automatic Number Plate Recognition Systems (ANPRS), and Facial Recognition Systems (FRS) in collaboration with Nepal Police. While the government’s installation of GPS tracking systems and CCTV cameras in public spaces aims to enhance safety and crime prevention, it raises significant concerns about surveillance and data misuse, especially in the absence of robust legal frameworks. The lack of specific regulations governing the use of data collected through these technologies, including facial recognition and automatic number plate recognition systems, poses a direct threat to citizens’ privacy. Further, the government directive has not considered the impact on the citizens having no access or literacy on using the online system. Without proper oversight, these measures risk enabling state-sponsored surveillance and infringing on constitutional rights, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive legal safeguards. | | | NT Expands Mobile Services to Remote Areas in Gorkha District
Nepal Telecom has extended its mobile services, including 2G and high-speed 4G, to remote areas in the northern part of Gorkha district, covering locations such as the Tibet Border, Manaslu Mountain Area, and popular trekking routes. The expansion, aimed at meeting the needs of domestic and foreign tourists, includes capacity enhancement and quality improvements, particularly in Chumnubri Rural Municipality. The upgrade involved replacing VSAT technology with microwave transmission links and constructing new sites, benefiting locals, tourists, and businesses in these remote regions. | | DRN Launched Briefing Notes on National Cybersecurity Policy and National Internet Gateway Digital Rights Nepal (DRN) has released two critical publications addressing key issues in Nepal’s digital landscape. The first, in collaboration with the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL), examines the National Cybersecurity Policy 2023 and its potential impact on human rights, highlighting concerns about increased surveillance, privacy threats, and risks to free speech. The second, developed with the Internet Society and the Internet Governance Institute, analyzes the proposed National Internet Gateway (NIG) provision within the National Cyber Security policy, its possible threats to internet freedom, increased censorship, and potential privacy violations. Advocate Santosh Sigdel, Executive Director of DRN, emphasizes the need for all stakeholders to engage in dialogue to ensure these policies protect fundamental freedoms rather than undermine them. | | | | Stakeholder Discussed on Social Media Regulation and the Freedom of Expression
On 11 August, Digital Rights Nepal and Dignity Initiative organized an interactive dialogue titled “Social Media Regulation and the Freedom of Expression”. The event aimed to bring together key stakeholders to explore and discuss the proposed social media regulations and their potential effects on freedom of expression in the digital realm. Adv. Santosh Sigdel, Co-founder and Executive Director of Digital Rights Nepal, presented an analysis of the draft bill, which was followed by an interactive discussion. The dialogue offered a platform for a thorough examination of the bill’s implications for freedom of expression, providing valuable insights into the associated challenges and opportunities.
#SocialMediaRegulation #FreedomOfExpression #DigitalRights #StakeholderDialogue | | Youth and Digital Pathway: Securing Rights and Safety for Sustainable Progress On 11 August, to mark International Youth Day 2024 with the theme “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development,” Digital Rights Nepal (DRN) collaborated with the NGO Federation of Nepal and Youth Initiative to present the event “Youth and Digital Pathway: Securing Rights and Safety for Sustainable Progress.” The event explored how the digital realm serves as both a playground and a platform for young people, focusing on essential topics such as Digital Rights & SDGs and Digital Safety & Youth Empowerment. As the digital generation leads, it is crucial to equip them with the knowledge and tools to ensure their safety and promote sustainable progress. #DigitalRightsNepal #InternationalYouthDay2024 #YouthEmpowerment | | | | Opportunities IGF 2024 calls for Travel Support
The IGF 2024 is offering limited travel support for participants from developing countries to attend its meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in December 2024. The support aims to increase inclusivity and diversity in internet governance discussions. Applications are due by September 10, 2024, and selection will be based on criteria such as prior support and regional balance.
For more: Supporting participation at IGF 2024 annual meeting | Internet Governance Forum (intgovforum.org) | | | 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. | | | |
