Kathmandu, August 21

The Individual Privacy Bill, which the government registered today in the Parliament Secretariat, bars publication of photographs of individuals without their permission.

The bill, part of the fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution, also bars clicking photographs of individuals in public places without their approval. It adds that prior consent should be taken from people concerned before using their photographs for any purpose.

Also, no one can use an individual’s photograph to harass or take undue advantage of that person, or use the photograph for business purposes, publication, advertising, buying or selling, or revealing in public without the person’s consent.

The bill has provisioned three-year jail or a fine up to Rs 30,000 or both for violation of the law.

The bill states that the privacy of any person, his or her residence, property, document, data, correspondence and matters related to his or her character shall, except in accordance with law, be inviolable.

It adds that if someone reveals someone else’s letter, email or conversation on other electronic media or other such private information, that person will face up to three-year jail sentence or up to Rs 30,000 fine or both.

According to the bill, no one can raise questions over another person’s character, conduct or behaviour. It adds that violation of this provision can lead to three years in jail or fine up to Rs 30,000 or both. However, the bill states that if a person is under investigation, his or her details can be published.