Kathmandu: Lawmakers have highlighted the urgent need to advance the Information Technology and Cyber Security Bill, citing its critical importance for national cyber security.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the discussion on the proposal for the Information Technology and Cyber Security Bill, 2082 took place during a recent House of Representatives meeting. Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, presented the proposal, emphasizing the necessity of the bill to safeguard the country’s cyberspace.
Minister Gurung also addressed lawmakers’ queries, revealing that another bill concerning digital platforms is currently under review in the National Assembly. He noted the importance of progressing laws in technology and highlighted the need for legislation pertaining to artificial intelligence.
Several lawmakers, including Urmila Majhi, Dipa Sharma, Narayani Sharma, Sunita Baral, and others, contributed their opinions on the bill. They agreed on the timeliness of the bill, stressing the importance of cyber security. However, they cautioned against the excessive regulation of social media platforms, underlined the need for managing human resources in the context of AI, and advocated for laws that respect fundamental human rights, such as the right to information and privacy.
Additionally, lawmaker Gyanu Basnet Subedi raised concerns about the meeting’s attendance, pointing out that only 66 lawmakers were present, falling short of the required quorum of 69. Consequently, the meeting was postponed.
The House of Representatives is scheduled to reconvene at 1:00 pm on Thursday.