SC Directs Nepal Government to Formulate Social Media Regulation Law On 26 September 2024, Supreme Court of Nepal (SC) has issued a directive for the government to formulate a law regulating social media platforms. This ruling was made deciding on 14 writ petitions filed after the government, under the leadership of the then Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, imposed a nationwide ban on TikTok on 13 November, 2023. One of the petitions was filed with the support of Digital Rights Nepal (DRN). The petitioners contended that the ban infringed upon the right to freedom of expression, as guaranteed by Article 17(1)(a) of Nepal’s Constitution. While the incumbent government, led by Prime Minister KP Oli, reversed the TikTok ban on 22 August 2024, the Supreme Court addressed the broader issue of regulating social media platforms. The Court underscored the necessity of establishing laws that not only ensure responsible use of these platforms but also safeguard civil liberties, human rights, and press freedom. Although the final written verdict is yet to be published, the judges have proactively shared details online to promote transparency and public trust. | | | Nepal Falls in Global Cybersecurity Rankings The ‘Global Cybersecurity Index 2024’ by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) shows a decline in Nepal’s cybersecurity standing, with the country now ranked 100th out of 194 nations, down from 94th in 2020. Strengthening cyber security measures will be crucial for Nepal to regain its position and ensure a secure digital environment for its citizens and institutions. It’s interesting to note that the Nepal government adopted the National Cyber Security Policy last year, which includes provision on National Internet Gateway (NIG). Digital Rights Nepal has prepared briefing notes on both National Cybersecurity Policy and the NIG. Nepal’s 4G Users Surpass 22.2 Million, Mobile Broadband Reaches 76.23% Market Share
According to the latest report from the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) for Ashar 2081, the number of 4G users in Nepal has surpassed 22.2 million. 4G continues to dominate Nepal’s mobile broadband market, which now holds a 76.23% market share, largely due to the coverage provided by Nepal Telecom (Ntc) and Ncell. Additionally, Nepal has over 2.8 million fiber broadband users, with a 42.03% population penetration. Government Directs Ministries to Revise Software and Prioritize Digital Integration
The government has instructed all ministries and departments to update or develop software systems that can be managed internally and to secure the source code of purchased software. This directive, part of a 24-point decision led by the Chief Secretary, aims to enhance ministries’ control over their digital infrastructure. The directive further states that the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MoCIT) will coordinate the effort and conduct a survey within a month to assess the need for more technical staff. TU to Cancel Exams if Found AI Tools Used
Tribhuvan University has announced that it will cancel the exams of any student found using artificial intelligence (AI) tools. This decision was communicated in a notice on September 24, 2024, following a meeting of the Examination Reform Committee chaired by Rector Khadga KC. The committee concluded that any use of AI during examinations would lead to the immediate cancellation of the student’s exams. Scam Alert: Rastriya Banijya Bank Misused in Facebook Fraud
A scam involving misuse of Rastriya Banijya Bank has surfaced, where fraudsters are using the bank’s name and logo on a Facebook page called ‘Samari Kirstein Doug.’ The page advertises a bonus scheme through a video post, encouraging users to download an app, but the provided link is non-functional. The bank has clarified it is not running any bonus distribution scheme and has dealt with similar scams in the past, such as lottery frauds on social media. In response, the bank has issued warnings, advising customers to seek information only from official sources and avoid sharing personal details on unauthorized platforms. DRN Collaborates with Sipalu Sister to Promote Digital Literacy
DRN has collaborated with a new digital platform, Sipalu Sister, which provides critical life skills training to Nepali women. The platform aims to be accessible to women of all literacy levels, empowering them to become more independent, make informed decisions, and reduce their reliance on others. Under this collaboration, Digital Rights Nepal has provided technical support to develop content for videos addressing online privacy, rights and safety, voice search, and cybercrime grievance mechanisms, further enhancing the digital literacy of target audience. | | | Opportunities Apply for Internet Society Youth Ambassador Internet Society invites young individuals aged 18-30 to impact Internet governance in their communities for Internet Society Youth Ambassador. Participants will connect with key influencers, receive training, attend major Internet events, and voice their opinions on crucial issues. Applications deadline: October 8, 2024. For more info: Youth Ambassador Program – Internet Society AI School to Be Held in Lalitpur
The Nepal Applied Mathematics and Informatics Institute for Research (NAMI) will host an 11-day ‘AI School’ from 27 December to 7 January at Premier International College, Lalitpur, open to students from undergraduate to PhD levels. This program aims to enhance AI teaching methods and curricula, featuring lectures and hands-on sessions led by renowned global experts.
Apply here to participate: AI School Application Form (google.com) | | | | New publication Content Moderation in a New Era for AI and Automation The Oversight Board has released a paper with key recommendations for social media platforms to enhance content moderation as they adapt to evolving AI technologies. Since the launch of Facebook in 2004, automated systems have increasingly dictated what content users see, often without human oversight, leading to biases and potential threats to freedom of expression. Key recommendations include developing policies to address non-consensual deepfake intimate images and prioritizing user consent; informing users about content removal decisions, including whether a human or AI made the choice, and provide context for appeals; equitable sharing of the advantages of new generative AI models among all users etc. The paper also calls for a more responsible and transparent approach to AI in social media content moderation, balancing human rights with technological advancements. | | | 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. | | | |
