Nepal Unveils Plans and programs for FY 2082/83: ICT and Digitization in Priority On May 2, 2025, President Ram Chandra Poudel presented the government’s policy and program for the fiscal year 2082/83, highlighting a strong focus on digital transformation and efficient governance. Key announcements include the expansion of the Nagarik App as the central platform for delivering public services online and the introduction of “faceless services” to reduce inefficiencies and unnecessary bureaucratic structures. The government plans to reform the tax system through the use of digital technologies, promote digital banking, and implement the Second Financial Sector Development Strategy. Efforts will be made to digitize agricultural services, modernize land management through IT-based geo-information systems, and streamline land use planning. In education, the government aims to introduce virtual learning platforms, interactive e-learning content, and teacher mentoring programs. In health sector, demographic and population data systems will be integrated with the National Health Information System. The government also plans to expand quality telecommunication services, strengthen public broadcasting, and implement the concept of ‘One Local Level: One Smart Post Office’. The implementation of the Digital Nepal Framework will be made more effective, with institutional and legal foundations for the ethical use of artificial intelligence and preparations to launch Nepal’s own satellite. Cybersecurity will be prioritized to protect critical digital infrastructure, and regulation of social media will be strengthened to promote social harmony and governance. Crime control will be enhanced through the use of advanced technologies in criminal investigations. The national identity card will be used as the foundation for integrated and efficient public service delivery. The government will also develop a Legal Information Management System and implement reforms recommended by the High-Level Governance Reform Commission to ensure accountable governance. Finally, the e-Governance Board will be reactivated, and a Rapid Response Team will be mobilized to address public complaints through the Hello Sarkar portal, ensuring easy and timely access to public services for all citizens. | | | Nepal Warns Social Media Platforms to Register or Face Ban The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology has once again issued a warning to social media platforms to register in Nepal under the Directives for Managing the Use of Social Networks, 2023. Despite a passed deadline, only TikTok, Viber, S.a.r.L., and Sarans Media Pvt. Ltd. (Weetok) have complied. Major platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and X are yet to register, appoint local liaison officers, or implement complaint and content moderation systems. Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung clarified that the goal is not to enforce an immediate ban but to ensure accountability and a safer digital space. The government is currently conducting an impact assessment to evaluate potential consequences of non-compliance. TikTok Deletes 3.1 Million Nepali Videos Amid Content Moderation Push
TikTok removed over 3.1 million videos from Nepal between April and December 2024 for violating its community guidelines—averaging 350,000 removals per month. The platform deleted 975,677 videos in July–September and 1.47 million between October and December, even during the national ban on TikTok from November 2023 to August 2024.
After the ban was lifted, the company began working closely with the Nepali government to improve content moderation, data security, and digital literacy. TikTok representatives say they review content based on community guidelines, terms of service, and local laws. While the platform bans content related to drugs, violence, hate speech, and child abuse, it affirms that moderation applies equally to all users. Trust and safety teams—including those with local expertise—are being deployed to better handle Nepal-specific issues. NTA Warns Against Illegal Use of Satellite Internet at Everest Base Camp
The Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has warned mountaineering companies to immediately stop using unauthorized satellite internet services, including Starlink, at Everest Base Camp. The use of foreign satellite services without NTA approval violates Nepal’s Telecommunications Act. While satellite connectivity is needed in remote areas, operating without a license is illegal. NTA cited a past incident involving Elite Himalayan Adventures and noted that Starlink has not been approved due to foreign investment restrictions. Hackers Leak 8GB of Alleged Nepal Police Data in Ongoing Cyber Showdown
A hacker group named KAZU has claimed to leak an additional 8GB of sensitive data allegedly taken from the Nepal Police’s central website, challenging the agency’s denial of any breach. The data, released via the dark web on May 1, reportedly includes over 80,000 files containing passport-sized photos, citizenship documents, marriage and migration records. The group accused Nepal Police of failing to protect citizens’ data and attempting to cover up the breach by blaming a cyber café. They warned that continued denial would lead to further leaks. This follows an earlier April 22 claim where KAZU alleged it had data of over 2 million citizens and offered it for sale at $7,000. | | | Publication UNDP’s 2025 Human Development Report Highlights AI’s Potential and Human Choices The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has released its 2025 Human Development Report titled “A Matter of Choice: People and Possibilities in the Age of AI.” Describing artificial intelligence as “the new electricity” for its transformative potential, the report acknowledges the rapid advancement of AI. However, it presents a sobering global picture—development progress has stalled, inequality is growing, and escape routes from poverty are narrowing. The report emphasizes that the true impact of AI will not be determined by its technical capabilities alone, but by the choices societies make today. It calls for a shift in focus from risks and competition to opportunities, advocating for the use of AI to enhance human agency, inclusion, and dignity. Full read at: A matter of choice: People and possibilities in the age of AI | | | | 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. | | | | |
