TikTok Begins Registration Process in Nepal TikTok is in the process of being officially enlisted in Nepal, as per the Guidelines for Managing the Use of Social Media, 2080, which requires social media platforms to register with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MoCIT). TikTok, already integrated into Nepal’s tax system, submitted necessary documents ahead of the 4 November deadline after the government lifted the ban in August. TikTok has also been engaging in local awareness and business promotion programs, including a “Grow with TikTok Masterclass” to support small and medium businesses. Additionally, the platform is interacting with Nepal Police on cybersecurity and plans to develop an app for disaster alerts in Nepal and Bangladesh using satellite data. Cabinet Approves Linkage Between Nagarik App and National Identity Card The Cabinet has approved the interconnection between Nagarik App and the National Identity Card on 18 October 2024. The Ministry of Home Affairs proposed this initiative at the request of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. According to the Department of National Identity Cards and Registration, users now need to provide National identity card details to access the Nagarik App and the use the verified data from the national identity card to apply for services provided through the app. Government Amends Telecommunication Regulations on License Renewal Internet service providers (ISPs) in Nepal can now renew their licenses for an additional 25 years upon reaching 25 years of service, following the government’s approval of an amendment to the Telecommunication Regulations, 2054. This change benefits companies like WorldLink and Mercantile Communication, whose licenses expired after the initial 25-year period, leaving them without active operating licenses since last month. Previously, there was no clear policy for ISPs once they reached the 25-year mark, but this amendment addresses that gap. Government to Standardize Websites Across Offices The government plans to standardize websites across its offices to ensure uniformity in design and functionality, using an integrated website management system developed by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MoCIT). At a recent meeting in Singha Durbar, officials also discussed improving the government email system’s usage and security. A taskforce, led by the MoCIT secretary and including key representatives from the Prime Minister’s Office, Council of Ministers, and the Department of Information Technology, will offer strategic guidance for implementing these initiatives. TikTok Releases Q2 2024 Community Guidelines Enforcement Report TikTok has published its Q2 2024 Community Guidelines Enforcement Report, highlighting its efforts to maintain a safe digital space. Covering data from April to June 2024 , the report shows that TikTok removed 178,827,465 videos, representing 1.0% of all uploads. Of these, 144,430,133 were taken down using automated detection, while 5,394,318 videos were reinstated after review. The proactive removal rate reached 98.2%, with 93.5% of flagged content removed within 24 hours. TikTok has claimed that the content moderation technology has proven highly effective, with a 50% reduction in restored videos, demonstrating improved accuracy. The report reveals that 31% of removed videos contained sensitive themes, 15.1% breached safety standards, and 4.7% violated privacy guidelines. | 
