Nepali authorities introduced a bill aimed at imposing strict regulations on social media platforms, including fines and imprisonment, according to Asian media.
The bill, introduced by Minister for Communication and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung in the National Assembly, aims to impose oversight on digital platforms, such as Facebook and X, by requiring them to obtain licences to operate in the country. If passed, the bill will become the Social Media Act-2081.
Those running social media platforms in Nepal without authorisation can be fined up to NPR 250 million ($1.9 million). Meanwhile, those who engage in activities endangering the national interest can face up to five years in prison, a fine of NPR 50 million, or both.
The law targets cybercrimes such as cyberbullying, cyberstalking, hacking, phishing and dipfake content. It also criminalises anonymous activity on social media, with the creation or use of pseudonymous accounts potentially leading to a prison sentence of up to three months or a fine of NPR 5 million.
The bill also proposes additional jail terms for those who use minors to commit online offences. If passed, it would significantly tighten Nepal’s control over social media.
