The Supreme Court (SC) has directed the state-owned Nepal Telecom to prevent unauthorized access to personal information, emphasizing the protection of citizens' privacy rights.

In the full text of its verdict, released on Monday, a division bench of Justices Dr Nahakul Subedi and Mahesh Sharma reiterated that individuals are entitled to privacy, personal freedom, and a dignified life. The ruling, issued on September 10, 2024, instructed Nepal Telecom to ensure these fundamental rights are safeguarded during the procurement and installation of billing systems.

The court stated, “Ensure the protection of fundamental rights even in procurement and installation of the billing system, and guarantee there is no conflict of interest during the procurement process.”

The verdict highlighted concerns regarding potential risks to sensitive and confidential customer data. It was noted that the supplier of the billing system could gain access to customer information stored on mobile devices, raising privacy and security issues.

Nepal Telecom had issued a tender on March 31, 2024, to replace its integrated billing system with the 'CRTB' system.

Rita Karki, the petitioner, argued that the 'CRTB' system was not a new innovation, was excessively costly, and posed a risk to customer privacy. She also warned that implementing the system could lead to financial losses for Nepal Telecom. -- RSS