MOCIT and TikTok Organized Digital Safety Summit
The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MoCIT) and TikTok jointly organized Digital Safety Summit Nepal on December 3, 2024, in Kathmandu. At the event, Sidra Jalil, a representative from TikTok, presented a working paper detailing the regulatory guidelines and safety measures implemented by the platform. According to Sidra, TikTok has removed 6,078 videos in Nepal over the past two months for violating its community guidelines.
The event also included a panel discussion featuring representative of the government Joint Secretary Gajendra Kumar Thakur; Executive Director of Digital Rights Nepal, Santosh Sigdel; Head of Public Policy Programs and Partnerships at TikTok, Zara Basharat Higgs; and TikTok Creator Sorbas Ghimire. During the discussion, Mr. Sigdel emphasized that marginalized communities, women, and children are likely to face heightened risks from social media misuse in the coming few years. He advocated for developing a targeted action plan to address and mitigate these risks effectively.
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Police Arrest Seven for Betting in Nepal Premier League Amid Growing Controversy
Nepal Police’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has arrested seven Indian nationals on charges of illegal betting during the ongoing Nepal Premier League (NPL), a Franchise Cricket Championship, at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.
While the CIB continues its crackdown on illegal betting, allegations have surfaced against NPL franchises and the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) for promoting betting platforms like Wolf777 and its subsidiaries. Franchises such as Sudurpaschim Royals and Biratnagar Kings have been accused of featuring gambling platform logos on jerseys, sparking public outrage
Critics argue such promotions breach ethical norms and laws, including Nepal’s Gambling Act 2020 and Criminal Code, which prohibit betting except for government-approved lotteries. This controversy highlights the challenges of enforcing anti-gambling laws and maintaining ethical standards in sports.
FNJ Condemns Mayor Harka Sampang’s Threats to Journalists
The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) has condemned Dharan Mayor Harka Sampang for threatening journalist Gopal Dahal and FNJ National Council member Janak Rishi Rai on Facebook. The threats followed Dahal’s investigative report on Mayor Sampang published by the Investigative Journalism Center. FNJ General Secretary Roshan Puri criticized the mayor’s actions as an attack on press freedom and urged officials to respect journalists’ constitutional rights. He emphasized that grievances with media coverage should be addressed through legal channels, not intimidation.
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Digital Security Training Conducted!!
On December 2, 2024, Digital Rights Nepal (DRN), in collaboration with Asia Centre, successfully organized a Digital Security Training in Kathmandu, Nepal. The session was attended by 23 human rights advocates and media professionals and aimed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify cyberthreats and protect their online presence. The training was led by Mr. Sanjay Gathia, Programme Manager at Asia Centre, who provided valuable insights into privacy and online safety mechanisms. Complementing this, Mr. Santosh Sigdel, Executive Director of DRN, presented practical case studies and scenarios tailored to the Nepalese context.
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DRN Led Session on Tech-Facilitated Gender Violence
As part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, Digital Rights Nepal, in collaboration with People in Need, hosted a session on Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) on December 4, 2024. The session led by Santosh Sigdel, Executive Director, Digital Rights Nepal, explored prevalent forms of TFGBV, such as cyberstalking, online harassment, and non-consensual sharing of images. It also examined the existing legal provisions addressing these issues, emphasizing the need for stronger frameworks to protect vulnerable groups. The session aimed to raise awareness and empower participants to combat gender-based violence in the digital sphere effectively.
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Do you know which laws regulate online content in Nepal?
While there isn’t a single comprehensive law, several existing laws and policies play a crucial role in shaping how we navigate and interact in cyberspace. From addressing misinformation to protecting online privacy, these rules govern our digital experiences. Explore a snapshot of the Nepalese legal framework shaping our digital lives.
#DigitalRights #OnlineSafety #CyberLawsNepal #ContentRegulation #StayInformed |
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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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