March 12: A draft bill prepared by the government has underlined the use of innovative technology to manage IT and cyber security. It has stated that artificial intelligence, machine learning, block chain, and IoT should be used in a transparent, accountable, safe and respectful manner.    

Unveiling the draft bill, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has sought feedback on the bill within two weeks.    

The bill proposes the Government of Nepal to set up a centre for excellence for research and development of the new technologies such as AI, machine learning and block chain.     Issues such as electronic records, data, originator of records, invocation of law of contract for electronic transaction, digital signature, public service delivery via electronic medium, technical audit of IT, vetting, operation, regulation and management of domain name, registration of IT industry and business, information/data safety and privacy, digital harassment, collection of personal details, establishment of cyber security centre, data centre and cloud, are included in the bill.    

Critical IT infrastructures, cyber monitoring of critical IT infrastructures, cyber security audit and auditor for it, activities banned on cyber space, crime and punishment, use of digital forensic, and establishment of IT tribunal are other topics in the draft bill.    

Under the data safety, none is allowed to disrupt harmonious relations among federal units, nationality or national unity, dignity, national security, sovereignty, territorial integrity by means of electronic system.    

The bill proposes banning cyber bulling, cyber harassment, production and distribution of indecent content, and cyber scam. Theft of data and code is punishable, as per the proposed bill.    

According to the draft bill, the government would not collect personal data unless required by the law. In case of the need to collect personal information, he/she would be informed mandatorily before it.    

As per the bill, every government body and public corporation is asked to run its own website to provide service and share information. The development/design of website to be operated by these bodies should be similar and meet standard set by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.    

Similarly, any individual or office willing to register np domain needs to get it registered at the department, submitting necessary fee. The domain name needs to be renewed every two years.    

Individuals or companies willing to provide cyber security service are also required to get license.    

The draft bill is available at https://api.giwms.gov.np/storage/22/posts/1710050856_14.pdf. -- RSS