Nepal Cracks Down On Online Abuse Over Flood Survivors

According to the BBC, Nepal is investigating online abuse directed at survivors of last month's deadly floods, and Prime Minister Balendra Shah said authorities would show no leniency toward people who belittle those who are suffering. Police said they are tracing the origin of the comments to identify addresses and phone numbers, and have convened a 10-member committee to examine the posts. Under Nepal's Electronic Transactions Act, people found guilty of using social media to defame or harass others can face up to five years in jail, a fine of up to 100,000 rupees ($662; £490), or both. Dovan Rai, executive director of the Nepal-based non-profit Body & Data, said some of the comments may have come from users engaging in rage baiting or from staunch supporters of the government.