Bill related to Operation, Use and Regulation of Social Networking Sites in NA

Kathmandu: The Bill related to Operation, Use and Regulation of Social Networking Sites-2081 has been registered in the Parliament.

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology registered the Bill in the National Assembly on Tuesday. The Ministry said the government presented the bill in the parliament citing it was necessary to formulate laws to make the use of social networking sites systematic, dignified and safe.

The bill registered in the NA reads, ‘It is necessary to make laws to make the operation and use of social networking sites disciplined, safe and systematic and regulate them making the operators and users of social site platforms responsible and accountable, thereby promote social harmony, cultural tolerance and good governance.’

It is expected that there will be a remarkable increase in information safety and privacy of personal details once the new laws are made and implemented.

Similarly, it is said that a legal basis would be prepared to improve the situation of cyber security and effective implementation of the concept of e-governance as well as foreign investment might be increased in the IT sector.

Some significant new issues have been incorporated in the proposed laws where companies and organizations willing to operate social networking sites and platforms should acquire licenses, with some terms and conditions to be followed.

Likewise, the bill has provisions related to crimes committed using social networking sites and punishment, investigation, prosecution, case review and appeal Companies, firms or organizations wishing to run social media platforms must obtain prior permission.

The bill specifies such a permit would be valid for two years. The bill also outlines penalty provisions for operating such a platform without permission. The penalty ranges from preventing the operation of such platforms to scrapping the permits for those failing to meet compliance standards.

Furthermore, those entities running platforms without permits are liable to fines up to Rs 2.5 million, the bills stipulate. The Department of Information Technology shall be responsible for issuing, renewing, monitoring, rand evoking such permits, the bill clarified.

Also, social media platform users are not allowed to post any content that tends to malign someone’s image and reputation, any malicious words or audiovisual content, trolling or promoting hate speech.

The Bill defines ”hate speech” as contents that incite violence or hatred against any individual, group or community or disrupts social harmony, which could be posted, shared, commented, live streamed, reposted, tagged, mentioned and used with hashtag.

Additionally, the Bill addresses the issue of spreading false, misleading and distorted information. The Bill bars the dissemination of contents that advertise and promote the trade of banned goods. Contents encouraging superstition or adversely impacting public health are also prohibited in social media. Social media users violating these provisions could be liable to a fine of up to Rs 500,000.

The Bill mandates penalties such as a jail term of up to 5 years and a fine up to Rs 500,000 or both for those social media users posting content against the national interest. Cyber bullying may result in imprisonment for offenders up to 2 years or a fine of up to Rs 300,000 or both, according to the bill.

The Bill recognizes cyberbullying as any act of sending, posting, or sharing malicious and false words, letters, sentences, symbols, pictures, sketches, or audiovisual, signal messages using a digital device connected to the internet to harass, intimidate, threaten, embarrass, humiliate, defame, spread false information or imitating someone’s voice.

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