| Nepal Rises to 88th in Global Fixed Broadband Speed Ranking
Nepal has improved its position in fixed broadband internet rankings, climbing to 88th out of 152 countries in Ookla’s Speedtest Global Index. From April to June, Nepal’s median download speed rose to 77.90 Mbps, and upload speed to 61.62 Mbps, marking a slight increase from the previous period. Latency and jitter remained steady at 5 MS and 2 MS, respectively. However, Nepal’s mobile internet was excluded from the index due to reliability concerns. Despite this, the progress in fixed broadband signals ongoing improvements in the country’s internet infrastructure.
NRB Introduces Regulatory Sandbox for New E-Financial Products
Nepal Rastra Bank has drafted a regulatory sandbox to test and approve new technology-based financial products before granting operational permission. The sandbox allows safe, controlled trials of software and apps for electronic financial services, ensuring they meet standards for security, privacy, and reliability. The draft, now open for public discussion and stakeholder feedback, aims to foster innovative and trustworthy financial services within a clear regulatory framework. Institutions must apply for approval and pass performance checks before launching new products, aligning with global best practices.
NTA Warns ISPs Over Wi-Fi Hotspot Operation
The Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has warned internet service providers against operating unauthorized Wi-Fi hotspots, citing violations of the Hotspot Operation Regulations, 2075. Only providers licensed for basic telecom, mobile, or basic telephone services are permitted to offer Wi-Fi with roaming or mobility features. WorldLink, which operates Nepal’s largest Wi-Fi hotspot network with over 14,000 hotspots, has also been cautioned.
Cyber Kidnapping Scam Hits Nepal Again
Nepal has reported its second known case of cyber kidnapping, where a woman was scammed out of NPR 80,000 through WhatsApp threats claiming her brother-in-law in Dubai had been kidnapped. According to the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office, the fraudster used fear tactics to force the victim to send money in two installments, warning her that both her and her brother-in-law’s lives were in danger. The scammer prevented her from consulting anyone by threatening further harm if she kept her phone.
Social Media Sellers Mandated to Register as E-Commerce Businesses
The government has made it mandatory for individuals and organizations selling goods or services via platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram to register on its official e-commerce portal. The Department of Commerce, Supply, and Consumer Protection issued a notice requesting all new social media-based entrepreneurs to complete online registration by submitting documents such as citizenship, business registration, PAN/VAT, and tax clearance certificates. While the rule applies immediately to new businesses, the department remains unclear on existing businesses.
TikTok Removes Nearly 19 Million Videos in Nepal in Q1 2025
TikTok’s Community Guidelines Enforcement Report for Q1 2025 reveals that the platform removed 18.7 million videos in Nepal alone, with a 99.6% removal rate and 97.8% taken down within 24 hours. Globally, TikTok deleted 211 million videos (about 0.9% of all uploads), using automated tools for most removals. Key violations included sensitive content (30.1%), safety and ethics breaches (11.5%), privacy issues (15.6%), misinformation (45.5%), and AI-edited content (13.8%). Detailed reports and policies are available at TikTok’s Transparency Center.
Global Platforms Tighten Youth Safety Amid Regulatory Pressure
Major tech companies are ramping up efforts to protect young users as governments push for stricter safeguards. Australia has included YouTube in its upcoming under-16 social media ban, requiring platforms to block underage users or face heavy fines, while YouTube is also piloting AI-powered age verification in the U.S. to better detect and protect minors. Meanwhile, Meta has introduced new safety tools for teens on Instagram and Facebook, removed hundreds of thousands of inappropriate accounts, and is using AI to identify underage users misrepresenting their age, all amid rising legal scrutiny over its role in youth mental health concerns.
DRN Activities
DRN Collaborated with Rotaract Clubs to Host Workshop on Digital Safety
On 26 July, Digital Rights Nepal, in collaboration with the Rotaract Club of KIST Medical College and co-organizers from the Rotaract Clubs of Tribhuwan University and Chandragiri, successfully conducted a workshop titled “You, Me, and The Internet.”
The workshop addressed important topics such as managing digital identity and online reputation, prudent content sharing, identifying and avoiding online scams and phishing, as well as maintaining privacy and security in online interactions. Participants were also provided with essential digital hygiene practices to enhance their online safety.
 
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