KATHMANU, Aug 12: Digital Rights Nepal (DRN) has published two analysis papers addressing important issues related to cyber security. Advocate Santosh Sigdel, executive director of DRN, informed Republica that two analysis papers on Nepal's cyber security have been published.
The first publication released, ‘Rastriya Cyber Suraksha Nitisambandhi Bishleshan Patra,’ provides a detailed analysis of the National Cyber Security Policy 2080, discussing the potential impacts of this policy on human rights. The second publication, ‘Rastriya Internet Gateway Sambandhi Bishleshan Patra,’ presents an in-depth analysis of the proposed National Internet Gateway in Nepal, as stated by the DRN.
Controlling cyber conflict
According to Sigdel, the ED of DRN, ‘Rastriya Cyber Suraksha Nitisambandhi Bishleshan Patra’ analyzes the significant provisions within the policy, highlighting how certain policy measures could increase potential repression, censorship, and self-censorship of online content and freedom of expression. It also addresses how increasing surveillance and data collection without adequate security measures might impact citizens' privacy rights, Advocate Sigdel said.
Similarly, the ‘Rastriya Internet Gateway Sambandhi Bishleshan Patra’ outlines how the proposed centralized National Internet Gateway could potentially limit internet freedom, allow the government to filter and control digital content, restrict global access to information, and lead to potential fragmentation of the internet.
According to the analysis paper, the decentralization of internet control through the National Internet Gateway will also facilitate extensive surveillance of internet communications, which could result in privacy and security issues for users in Nepal.
