| Safeguarding Information Integrity in Times of Political Turbulence
The pro-monarchy protest in Kathmandu on March 28, 2025, which resulted in two deaths, including one journalist and numerous injuries, not only exposed deep political divisions in Nepal but also highlighted a critical crisis—the unchecked spread of misinformation and disinformation. In the wake of such turmoil, accurate and timely information is crucial for maintaining public order, yet both government sources and media outlets failed to provide clarity, allowing misleading narratives to escalate tensions further.
Misinformation surrounding the protest—including exaggerated death tolls, conspiracy theories, and mischaracterizations of events—quickly flooded social media, blurring the line between fact and fiction. This digital chaos fueled uncertainty, deepened distrust in institutions, and heightened the risk of further violence. In a politically fragile environment, unreliable information can serve as a catalyst for unrest, making the need for responsible communication more urgent than ever.
At a time when emotions run high, DRN calls on all stakeholders—government agencies, media organizations, and civil society—to prioritize information integrity. Authorities must ensure timely and transparent communication, while media outlets must uphold their responsibility to fact-check and report objectively. Furthermore, strengthening media literacy among the public is essential to equipping citizens with the skills to critically assess and verify information.
As Nepal navigates these turbulent times, protecting the integrity of information is not just a necessity but a shared responsibility. Misinformation thrives in uncertainty, but a collective commitment to truth and accountability can help safeguard democracy, social stability, and public trust. | | | Rising Digital Financial Crimes in Nepal: A Growing Concern Cyber fraud and illegal online gambling are escalating rapidly in Nepal, as highlighted in the Nepal Rastra Bank’s (NRB) latest Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) report. Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) and Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) surged by 24% in 2023/24, reaching 7,338 cases, with many linked to cyber fraud, tax evasion, and illegal financial transactions. Criminals exploit scams, fake e-commerce sites, OTP frauds, and unauthorized financial access to launder money. Illegal gambling platforms like 1Xbet and Metabet also operate in Nepal, using personal bank accounts and social media ads to attract users. Additionally, the misuse of Nepali rupees for cryptocurrency transactions and prepaid dollar card fraud pose growing financial risks. Disappearing Facebook Posts Raise Concerns Over Free Speech in Nepal A Facebook status by constitutional expert Bhimarjun Acharya, in relation to the pro monarchy movement, has mysteriously disappeared. In that post Acharya had criticized the government, media, civil society, and the Human Rights Commission in relation to the 28 th March protest. Surprised by the disappearance of his post, Acharya stated, “I don’t know whether it’s a technical issue or a political one, but my status is no longer visible.” In a follow-up post, he sarcastically remarked, “The implementation of democracy seems to have begun,” hinting at possible censorship. This is not the first time such an incident has occurred. A few months ago, Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah also reported the removal of one of his Facebook posts which was politically sensitive in nature, which was later restored after communication with the platform’s team. Such incidents raise serious concerns about free speech, discouraging people from expressing their views on politically sensitive issues and creating a chilling effect on open discourse. Fund Transfers Up to Rs 500 Now Free on Mobile Banking, Digital Wallets & ConnectIPS
Nepal Clearing House Limited (NCHL) has announced that fund transfers up to Rs 500 via mobile banking, digital wallets, and ConnectIPS will now be free. The new policy, effective April 4, 2081, revises transaction charges under the Retail Payment Switch (RPS) system.
For amounts above Rs 500, minimal fees apply: Rs 4 for transfers between Rs 500 and Rs 5,000, and Rs 8 for amounts exceeding Rs 5,000. Merchant and creditor payments have separate fee structures, with merchant transfers incurring charges ranging from Rs 2 to Rs 8 based on the transaction amount. VAT will be added where applicable. Minister Gurung Calls for Strengthening Digital Nepal Efforts
Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, has urged agencies under the Ministry to actively support the Digital Nepal Framework. Speaking at a thematic committee meeting, he emphasized the need for nationwide access to electricity, telephone, and internet to implement digital governance effectively. He directed authorities to expand the Integrated Office Management System (GIOMS), digitize postal services, control data leakage, and standardize government websites. He also stressed the importance of a ‘NagarikApp’ literacy campaign and broadband expansion, particularly in community schools and earthquake-affected districts. NTA Warns Against Illegal Use of Signal Boosters for Indian Mobile Services
The Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has issued a warning against using signal boosters to access Indian mobile services in Nepal. In a notice released on March 30, 2025, the regulator stated that such activities violate Nepal’s telecom regulations, and those involved will face legal action.
Signal boosters, commonly used in border areas to strengthen mobile signals, are being misused to amplify Indian network coverage inside Nepal. NTA cited violations of the Radio Act, 2014, and the Telecommunications Act, 2053, urging the public to refrain from such practices. The authority has pledged strict enforcement against individuals or groups engaging in illegal signal boosting. | | | Publication Safeguarding Futures: Exploring the Impacts of Generative AI on Child Online Protection in Nepal Children worldwide increasingly use AI for education and entertainment, with Generative AI tools making it easy to create text, images, audio, and video. Platforms like ChatGPT, Bing, and DALL-E have gained popularity, enhancing learning through AI-powered tutors and personal assistants. However, risks such as data privacy concerns, cyberbullying, and exposure to harmful content remain. To address these concerns, ChildSafeNet, in partnership with UNICEF Nepal, conducted a study analyzing AI usage among children in Nepal. The research assessed emerging risks, including AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM), hate speech, and misinformation. Through a systematic review, surveys, and expert interviews, the study aims to provide recommendations for awareness, advocacy, and policy actions to ensure children’s safety in the digital age. Full read at: https://www.unicef.org/nepal/media/24156/file/No%20ai%20safeguarding.pdf | | | | Digital Rights Weekly is a week-based update on Digital Rights and ICT issues, that happened throughout the week, compiled and analyzed from the digital rights perspective by Digital Rights Nepal (DRN). DRN is a not-for-profit initiative dedicated to the protection and promotion of digital rights, including the right to online freedom of expression and association, online privacy, access to information, and related issues such as internet governance, cyber laws/policies, and cyber securities in Nepal. | | | | |
