KATHMANDU, March 1: Incidents of online violence are on the rise, posing a significant challenge for authorities due to the absence of proper legislation. The Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police is grappling with the surge in complaints lodged by individuals who have been subjected to various forms of online abuse across different social media platforms.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Deepak Raj Awasthi said there are obstacles in handling these complaints, due to the inadequacy of laws to tackle cyber offenses. According to him, while both men and women are affected, women tend to be targeted more frequently.

One of the major hurdles faced by the authorities is the proliferation of anonymous and fake profiles on platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and WhatsApp, hindering the process of identifying the perpetrators.

Furthermore, the involvement of perpetrators residing abroad has exacerbated the jurisdictional challenges associated with these cases. Additionally, issues arising from Nepali individuals operating social network apps developed by foreign countries have contributed to the technical complexities involved. Law enforcement authorities have encountered difficulties in gathering evidence and analyzing factors pertinent to cyber incidents.

It is also said that the immediate writing and deletion of evidence has possessed challenges. SP Awasthi stated that cross-border investigations are becoming increasingly difficult due to limited resources and a shortage of experts.

So far in the current fiscal year 2022/23, as many as 5,636 men and 5,131 women have filed complaints against their perpetrators for offenses through social media. This is significantly more than the previous year. In the year 2022/23, only 4,590 women and 3,735 men registered such complaints.

The law is in the making

Communication and Information Technology Minister Rekha Sharma said that efforts are underway to draft the Social Media Bill.

She stated that the type of violence against women online has been recognized, and a bill is being drafted to address it accordingly. She emphasized that incorporating it into the law will provide an integrated solution to tackle the issue effectively.

"We realized this while attempting to shut down TikTok. Closing it immediately proved to be a significant challenge," she explained. "There are also legal jurisdiction issues that need to be addressed," she added.

She said that even though the Internet has numerous benefits, it has not been used properly. She said that online violence has led to tragic instances, with some women resorting to suicide as a result.

Different sufferings faced by men and women

Both men and women fall victim to social media. The causes of pain are different. Often, a woman is forced to engage in obscene acts while interacting on social networking sites like Facebook and Messenger. After that, screenshots of these interactions are circulated to their family and friends, subjecting them to repeated coercion and exploitation.

In other instances, individuals engage in regular conversation in romantic relationships on Facebook, only to exploit their partners by recording and sharing explicit videos and images via Facebook and Messenger. Conversely, men frequently fall victim to financial enticement.

SP Awasthi from the Cyber Bureau acknowledges various issues they encounter, including fraud, offering visas for overseas employment, monetary exploitation using similar names, and honey trapping. He mentions that the Cyber Bureau receives up to 20 complaints daily.

What are the solutions?

Communication and Information Technology Minister Rekha Sharma said that it is necessary to raise awareness to solve the increasing violence through social media. She says that since even young children are affected by social media, education about it should be included in the school curriculum.

“Digital literacy is essential. Digital education must now be incorporated directly into the curriculum to ensure responsible Internet use,'' she said. According to Roja Kiran Basukala, deputy director of Nepal Telecommunication Authority, the problems that come through technology can be solved through technology itself.

"Establishing a formal complaint procedure is essential for tackling online violence," Basukala emphasized. "Efforts should be made to enable online complaint filing," she added.

She suggested conducting awareness campaigns to change the people’s perception of the internet from being a source of fear to one of opportunities. SP Awasthi from the Cyber Bureau said that advocating a comprehensive digital literacy campaign for all is necessary. He also stressed the need for developing safety features to enhance online security.

 
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