Digital Rights Weekly/ Year 4 Issue 5

Nepal’s Social Media Bill: Regulation or Restriction?
The government has tabled a bill on social media regulation in the National Assembly, on 28 January 0205. The bill proposes economic fines and imprisonment for both social media platforms and users under various provisions.
Individuals operating social media platforms in Nepal without permission or violating a ban could face fines of up to Rs 2.5 million. Actions deemed harmful to national interests could result in up to five years of imprisonment, a Rs 500,000 fine, or both. The bill also criminalizes cyberbullying (two years in prison or a Rs 300,000 fine), cyberstalking (three years or Rs 500,000), and hacking, phishing, extortion, and sextortion (three years or Rs 1.5 million). Posting grotesque content, spreading false information, or using pseudonymous identities could also lead to fines or imprisonment. Repeat offenders face double penalties, and public officials could receive up to 50% additional punishment.
Despite the rise of social media, Nepal lacks specific regulatory laws, there has been need to regulate this but this bill has sparked widespread criticism. The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) argues it curtails freedom of expression and was drafted without stakeholder consultations. Political leaders like Gagan Thapa and Bishow Prakash Sharma acknowledge the need for regulation but fear the bill threatens democratic norms and free speech. Rastriya Swatantra Party released a press notice calling for the withdrawal of the bill and a complete rewrite to ensure the fundamental rights of citizens, as the currently proposed bill poses a serious threat to them.
Experts believe that the bill’s provisions, taken together, pose a systemic threat to freedom of expression and association in Nepal.
Digital Rights Nepal (DRN) strongly opposes the proposed Social Media Bill, viewing it as a direct assault on fundamental rights, particularly freedom of expression and privacy. The bill’s vague and overly broad provisions create significant risks of misuse, allowing authorities to arbitrarily silence dissenting voices, suppress critical speech, and intimidate users. Instead of fostering a rights-respecting regulatory framework, the bill grants sweeping powers to the state, enabling censorship and disproportionate penalties that could stifle democratic discourse. DRN urges the government to engage in meaningful consultations with stakeholders including civil society, journalists, and digital rights experts to ensure that any regulation upholds constitutional freedoms, aligns with international human rights standards, and safeguards an open and democratic digital space in Nepal.

Digital Rights and Safety School Awareness Campaign Successfully Concludes
The Digital Rights and Safety School Awareness Campaign, launched on December 2024, by Digital Rights Advocates Network Gandaki and Eureka, in collaboration with Digital Rights Nepal, has successfully concluded. The campaign directly benefited 440 students from seven schools in Pokhara, focusing on grades 7 to 10.
Through interactive sessions on digital citizenship, online privacy, cyber threats, and protective strategies, students were equipped with essential skills to navigate the digital world responsibly. This initiative has laid the foundation for a more informed and empowered generation, fostering stronger digital literacy and safety practices.