Surge in Deepfakes and Cheapfakes Threatens Nepal’s Political Stability and Social Trust
Nepal is facing a growing wave of deepfakes and cheapfakes on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X. These manipulated videos are being used to spread misinformation, defame public figures, and stir unrest—especially during political tensions.
On April 4, 2025, a fake video showed RSP President Rabi Lamichhane being arrested at gunpoint, which was later exposed as a cheapfake. Another clip falsely showed PM KP Sharma Oli arriving at the airport riding a pig. Similarly, the Sunsari Forest Office website was hacked and replaced with an animation of PM Oli dancing. Other AI-generated videos have targeted pro-monarch leader Durga Prasain, singer Samiksha Adhikari, Mayor Balendra Shah (Balen), and Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol. This trend is fueled by the easy availability of editing tools and apps like CapCut, KineMaster, and InShot. Technologies such as face-swapping, AI motion tools, CrazyTalk, Mug Life, and text-to-speech generators make it simple for anyone to create hyper-realistic manipulated content.
Meanwhile, Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police has warned against the misuse of AI, especially on social media, citing its role in character assassination and spreading misleading or obscene content. The Bureau urged users to be cautious, noting that such actions can harm reputations and violate existing cyber laws. Officials are calling for stronger laws and greater public awareness to address this growing issue.
As digital literacy remains low in Nepal, these technologies are being exploited for political gain and public manipulation, increasing the risk of political instability and social unrest. Without proper awareness, regulation, and education, the unchecked rise of deepfakes and cheapfakes poses a serious threat to Nepal’s democratic discourse and social fabric.
|
|
|
Meta Representatives in Nepal as Deadline for Social Media Listing Looms
Meta (the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) representatives have arrived in Kathmandu to discuss the government’s requirement for social media platforms to enlist in Nepal by April 20. Following repeated requests over the past year, Meta has sent officials from its Singapore office to meet with Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung. Currently, only TikTok, Viber, and Vitalk are listed in Nepal, and the government has warned that platforms not in compliance will be banned. The discussions aim to resolve issues related to content monitoring, tax regulations, and grievance mechanisms as part of Nepal’s social media guidelines.
MoHP to Introduce Unique Health ID for Citizens
The Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) is preparing to launch an integrated electronic health system by creating a unique Health ID for every citizen. This ID will consolidate all medical records into one system to improve access to healthcare and support data-driven policymaking.
A ministerial-level committee, led by Dr. Saroj Sharma, has been formed to study and recommend the method, procedure, and algorithm for implementing the Health ID. The committee includes representatives from various government divisions, the WHO, the Health Insurance Board, and the Confederation of Nepalese Industries. The system will align with national identity cards and existing health insurance databases. Once the committee submits its recommendations, the ministry will move forward with implementation.
Ministry of Communications’ Budget Reduced for Fiscal Year 2082/83
The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology’s budget for the next fiscal year has been reduced to Rs 7.52 billion, down from Rs 8.5 billion in the current year. Despite the government’s emphasis on prioritizing AI under the Digital Nepal framework, the budget ceiling has been cut by Rs 980 million. Ministry spokesperson Gajendra Thakur stated that while AI remains a priority, the reduced budget may hinder some planned initiatives. The Ministry plans to allocate 75.3% of the budget for current expenditures, with 24.61% for capital expenditure.
NTA Chair Accused of Submitting Fake Work Experience Documents
A complaint has been filed with the CIAA alleging that Nepal Telecommunication Authority Chairperson Bhupendra Bhandari submitted fake work experience documents. Civil society claims Bhandari listed overlapping job roles in Nepal and Burundi, raising questions about the authenticity of his experience during his appointment.
‘Hello Sarkar’ Website Restored After Alleged Russian Cyberattack
The ‘Hello Sarkar’ government complaint portal is back online after being offline for nearly a month due to a cyberattack by the Russian hacker group Ghudra, linked to Fancy Bears APT28. The site had been down since March 11.
Hackers claimed to have accessed sensitive data including usernames, passwords, emails, phone numbers, and backup files, and listed the breached data for sale on a forum for $1,000, with an additional $1,300 for live server access. Following the breach, the government formed a study committee and resumed the website’s operations. However, officials have not confirmed whether the hackers’ claim of stealing data from 100,000 users is accurate. |
|
|
|
Opportunity
Call for Applications: National ICT Awards 2025
The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MoCIT) has called for applications for the National ICT Awards 2025, which will be presented on the occasion of National ICT Day, observed annually on May 02. These awards aim to recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the development of information and communication technology in Nepal. Interested public institutions, private companies, and individuals can apply under various categories, including ICT Excellence Award, ICT Excellence Award (Female), ICT Award for Public and Private Sectors (national and provincial/local levels), ICT Innovation Award, and ICT Startup Award. Application forms are available on the official websites of MoCIT ( www.mocit.gov.np) and the Department of Information Technology ( www.doit.gov.np). Completed forms must be submitted via email to ictaward@mocit.gov.np or directly to the ICT Division at MoCIT by 5:00 PM on April 19, 2025.
Call for Applications: 2025 Global Gathering in Portugal
Applications are now open for the 2025 Global Gathering, taking place in Estoril, Portugal from September 8–10. The event will bring together participants from over 144 countries for three days of networking and collaboration on pressing tech issues impacting human rights, civil society, and journalism.
With a focus on digital security, censorship, AI, disinformation, and internet governance, this year’s self-organized format empowers attendees to lead discussions on grassroots tech solutions, secure communication, and sustainability.
Apply: https://www.digitalrights.community/blog/2025-global-gathering-application
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
