| NRB Mandates National ID for Bank Account Opening
Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has made the use of a national identity card mandatory for opening bank accounts in financial institutions starting January 14. According to a directive issued by NRB, banks must verify account holders’ details through the national ID’s electronic records, aligning with the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2064, and its rules.
The directive also allows for account opening through electronic means, provided that robust policies and procedures are ensured for customer identification and verification. Financial institutions must establish reliable electronic methods for obtaining and verifying necessary documents while safeguarding against risks and misuse of electronic transactions. Additionally, banks are required to update national ID details for all high-ranking account holders by January 14. Noyb Files Privacy Complaints Against Chinese Firms for EU Data Transfers
Austrian advocacy group Noyb filed privacy complaints against TikTok, Shein, Xiaomi, and three other Chinese companies, alleging unlawful transfer of European Union user data to China. This marks Noyb’s first complaint against Chinese firms, following high-profile cases against U.S. companies like Apple and Meta.
Six complaints were submitted across Greece, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, and Austria, seeking fines of up to 4% of global revenue and suspension of data transfers. Noyb argued that such transfers violate EU data protection laws, given China’s lack of equivalent privacy standards.
While Xiaomi pledged cooperation if contacted, other companies did not respond. Noyb emphasized the urgency of halting these data transfers to safeguard Europeans’ privacy. Lawmakers Push for Responsible Social Media Regulation
In a meeting of the Law, Justice, and Human Rights Committee, lawmakers urged Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, to prioritize dignified use of social media while maintaining press freedom. Minister Gurung informed that drafts for social media regulation and a cybersecurity bill are nearing completion, while the Media Council Bill awaits discussion in the House of Representatives.
Lawmakers highlighted concerns about false information, misleading advertisements, and the need for increased investment in information technology. Secretary Radhika Aryal clarified that the proposed social media bill aims to regulate content without imposing control. NT Expands 4G Services to 743 Local Levels
Nepal Telecom has extended its 4G LTE services to 743 local levels across the country, covering all 77 districts. The company has also expanded its high-speed FTTH (Fiber-to-the-Home) service nationwide. According to Nepal Telecom, efforts are underway to reach remote areas using appropriate technology, with a continued focus on high-bandwidth connectivity and value-added content services. | 
