By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Jan. 12: With the rise in using social networking sites to spread hate and animosity in the society and harm dignity of other persons, the government has introduced measures for controlling such unethical activities through the Information Technology (IT) Bill.
The bill is currently at the House of Representatives (HoR) for its endorsement.
According to the proposed bill, any attempt to harm others’ self-respect, cases of cyber bullying, and practices of hurting others, creating animosity among people and communities through social media, has been made punishable acts.
The bill has proposed the financial punishment amounting to Rs. 1.5 million and a jail term of five year for any person involved in such punishable acts.
However, some section of the society and media have criticized the bill for having several provisions that have curtailed freedom of expression. The provision related to criminalisation of crime and punishment, and constitution of court drew flak as it brushed against the spirit of constitution and international treaties.
The bill has already been approved by Development and Technology Committee of HoR. The HoR and the National Assembly need to endorse the bill to become a law.
Besides, any attempt in social sites that undermine or disturb national security and sovereignty, social harmony or any act of creating hates among certain communities will be treated as an act against the state.
The bill has the provision of authorizing the Department of IT to direct concerned social networking sites to remove any kind of illegal materials posted by users. It will be the duty of the social networking sites to remove such materials as per the direction of the department.
According to the bill, social networking sites should be registered in the department to get operating permission in Nepal.
The bill has the provision to allow government authorities

to disseminate public information and notices by using social sites.
Accepting electronic records for legal use
The bill has put forth provisions of accepting any kind of electronic records as legal documents required as per the law. This provision will enable one to submit the electronic copy of any documents as required facts in legal use.
Similarly, the bill has the provision of accepting any kinds of electronic contracts between different parties as per the requirement of various laws.
Foundation for the use of digital signature
Another important aspect of the IT Bill is that it has made the provision of legalising digital signature for the use of any kinds of documents that needs signature of individuals.
It has made the provision of certification authority of digital signature and controller to regulate such authorities for the safe use of digital signature.
Only the licensed certification authorities will be allowed to issue the certificate of digital signature and such issued certificates may be cancelled by the controller or by the issuing authorities if it was found using against the provisions.
Similarly, the bill has given authorities to the government agencies to provide digital service to public and make electronic transaction by using digital signature.
Cyber security
Provision of personal secrecy of data, domain registration through authorized agencies, uses of permitted electronic equipment, formation of emergency assistance group and establishment of electronic forensic science laboratory for the cyber security are other major provisions in the bill.
The bill has made the provision of establishing IT court to handle the cybercrimes and national IT center for the operation of government data centre, email system and electronic system.