KATHMANDU: With the new Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) regulations in place, the Internet Service Providers (ISP) will be compelled to shut down any website after the government’s order.

The government, which had earlier ordered the ISPs to shut down pornographic websites, has now issued regulations with legal provisions to allow government to shut down any website.

The “Operation of Internet (including email) 2077 BS” was approved by the NTA board of directors , the ISPs are required to shut the website if the government wants to close it down.

The regulations state that the service providers should make arrangements to ensure that they do not have access to materials that are against Nepal’s sovereignty, integrity and national interest and that are in a state of treason.

Pornographic materials, defined as obscene by the prevailing law, is contrary to public etiquette or morality, disrupts good relations between different races, ethnicity, religions, classes, genders or communities and promotes such social harmony,” the regulation has said.

The list states, “Horrific scenes, images, articles, or material that endangers national security and the safety of citizens.”

Fee discount if not repaired within 24 hours

The Regulation has a provision in the regulations that if the internet service providers do not repair within 24 hours of service interruption, the service fee can be waived for the period of non-repair.

There is also a provision that the cost of operating the blocked service should be borne by the company itself. ISP are now charging half of the internet fee for maintenance.

If the service is interrupted due to any reason other than the customer’s reason, the service providers will have to extend the interrupted period due to the inconvenience caused to the concerned customer.

Such a provision should be mentioned in the agreement between the ISP and the customer. The ISP must notify the customer three days in advance if the service is interrupted due to technical reasons or maintenance.