Civil Society Calls for Rights-Based and Transparent Social Media Regulation in Nepal As the Government of Nepal’s seven-day grace period for major social media platforms to comply with national regulations approaches its end, civil society organizations are voicing serious concerns about the government’s approach to digital governance. Under the Directives for Managing the Use of Social Networks, 2023, platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and X are required to register with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, appoint liaison officers in Nepal, and implement systems for handling user complaints and content moderation. To date, only TikTok, Viber, S.a.r.L., and Sarans Media Pvt. Ltd (Weetok) have complied. The government has warned that non-compliance could result in bans and is conducting an impact assessment to evaluate the potential consequences. Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung has stated that the intent is not to impose immediate restrictions, but to enforce accountability and promote a safe digital environment. In response, Digital Rights Nepal convened a coalition of 31 civil society organizations, digital rights advocates, and media groups to release a joint public statement urging the government to: - Refrain from actions that violate constitutional rights or Nepal’s international human rights obligations;
- Ensure that any regulation of digital platforms is transparent, inclusive, and rooted in democratic principles;
- Initiate meaningful dialogue with civil society, platform representatives, and technical experts before taking enforcement actions.
The coalition highlighted that the current directive lacks legal clarity and strong enforcement mechanisms, especially concerning ongoing parliamentary discussions on a draft Social Media Bill. They warned that abrupt enforcement—absent public consultation—risks undermining freedom of expression, access to information, and digital rights. The joint statement also calls on social media companies to engage constructively with the government and civil society, maintain transparency, and uphold democratic and human rights standards
As Nepal moves forward in shaping its digital regulatory framework, civil society emphasizes the need for balanced, rights-based approaches that ensure platform accountability without compromising the country’s democratic values and fundamental freedoms. | | | Nepal Commits to Digital Transformation Through ICT
On National ICT Day, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli reaffirmed the government’s commitment to digitalization, identifying ICT as a key driver for development, service delivery, and economic growth. He highlighted plans to expand digital services via the Nagarik App, aiming to integrate over 100 government services within the year. Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung added that 65 services from 35 agencies are already live on the app, and infrastructure expansion—including 4G nationwide and 5G in major cities—is underway. The government also plans to release the ICT Development Roadmap 2025 to guide long-term digital growth. Online Media Officially recognized in Press and Publication Act
The government is set to officially recognize online media by amending the Printing Press and Publication Act 2048 BS. The House of Representatives passed the amendment on April 29, 2025, updating the Act’s definition to include digital platforms producing and distributing content via the internet. A new clause (f1) was added to Section 2, defining “online media” as institutions that produce and distribute messages, news, images, audio-visuals, and multimedia content through digital means. The amendment was originally proposed by former Law Minister Dhanraj Gurung and had been under discussion since May 2023. ICT Sector to Contribute 1.94% to Nepal’s GDP in FY 2024/25
Nepal’s communications and information technology (ICT) sector is projected to contribute 1.94% to the country’s GDP in the fiscal year 2024/25, according to the annual national accounts data released by the National Statistics Office on April 30, 2025. The sector’s value-added growth rate is estimated at 4.81% for the current fiscal year, driven by increased activities in computer programming, information services, internet service transactions, and wireless communication.
In comparison, the sector recorded a revised growth of 4.91% in FY 2023/24 and 4.15% in FY 2022/23. The consistent growth highlights the sector’s expanding role in Nepal’s digital economy. ‘Shram Sansar’ Portal Launched
On the occasion of International Labour Day, Minister for Labour, Employment, and Social Security, Sharad Singh Bhandari, launched the ‘Shram Sansar’ portal, aiming to end employment based on access and awareness. The portal will enable youth to secure jobs across the country based on qualifications and skills, removing previous barriers. The ‘Shram Sansar’ portal, a key part of the government’s ‘Decade of Internal Employment Promotion’, will offer free registration, labor market information, and inter-level coordination. It will be expanded nationwide, building on a successful pilot in Koshi Province. Nepal Police Denies Website Hack, Blames Cyber Cafes for Data Leak
Nepal Police has denied claims that its official website was hacked following the recent leak of sensitive citizen data. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Dinesh Kumar Acharya stated that the data was not compromised through the police system but was likely leaked by cyber cafes filling out online police character certificate forms.
A hacker group identifying itself as ‘Kazu’ had earlier claimed on the dark web that it breached the Nepal Police website and accessed data of two million citizens, offering it for sale at $7,000 and releasing 500 sample records as proof. However, police say the sample link is now inactive and shows no data. | |  | As we move toward a smarter, more connected nation, let’s ask:
➡Do you find digital transformation and services easily accessible?
➡Are digital tools truly inclusive?
➡Are your rights protected in the digital space?
ICT is not just about technology — it’s about our rights, access, and future.
Building a Digital Nepal is only possible through shared responsibility and collective action.
#NationalICTDay #DigitalRightsNepal #DigitalInclusion | | | 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. | | | | |
