Digital Rights Summit 2025 Highlights Urgent Issues in Nepal’s Digital Landscape
The Digital Rights Summit 2025, organized by Digital Rights Nepal (DRN), concluded with powerful calls for reforms to address the challenges facing Nepal’s digital environment on 24 January 2025. The summit featured the launch of the “ State of Digital Rights and Safety in Nepal 2024” report, which was unveiled by Chief Guest Hon. Top Bahadur Magar, Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission. The report provides an in-depth analysis of the digital rights landscape in Nepal and sets the stage for the country’s digital policy discussions in the coming years.
The event’s keynote address was delivered by Zach Lampell, Senior Legal Advisor at the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL), who emphasized the need for Nepal to harmonize its digital policies with global human rights standards to ensure free expression, privacy, and data protection for all. The summit also addressed the rising concerns over government surveillance, the misuse of laws such as the Electronic Transactions Act, and the proposed Social Media Regulation Bill and IT and Cybersecurity Bill 2024, which could restrict online freedoms.
The panel discussion included representatives from the government, MPs, journalists, civil society leaders, and experts from the technology sector. Discussions throughout the summit delved into issues like online freedom of expression, online privacy and data protection, internet censorship, online harassment, and the legal frameworks currently in place to protect digital rights. The summit also spotlighted the rising concerns of online gender-based violence and the growing digital divide, especially in remote areas, and called for more inclusive digital policies.
The Digital Rights Summit 2025 not only identified key challenges but also charted a path forward. Participants called for sustained dialogue, stronger legal safeguards, and collaborative efforts to uphold digital rights and freedoms in Nepal. The summit concluded with a shared commitment to fostering a safer, more open, and rights-based digital ecosystem for all.
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Social Media Regulation Bill to be Presented in Federal Parliament
The government is set to present the Social Media Regulation Bill 2081 BS to the federal parliament. Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, announced the cabinet’s decision on January 20, of approving the bill.
Digital Rights Nepal (DRN) has published a detailed analysis of the Social Media Regulation Bill from digital rights perspective. Click here to read.
e-Governance Commission Reorganized into e-Governance Board
The government has restructured the Electronic Governance Commission, transforming it into an e-Governance Board by amending the Electronic Good Governance Commission (Formation and Operation) Order, 2079 BS. Under the new structure, the Chief Secretary of Nepal will serve as the chairperson, while the post of co-chair has been removed.
Key amendments also include the removal of provisions related to integrated data centers and electronic financial transaction systems, while the scope of security studies for government systems has been narrowed to advisory roles. Under the new provision, the government will now focus on establishing a data exchange platform for seamless interconnection across various sectors.
Supreme Court Clears Way for Mandatory National Identity Card
The Supreme Court has dismissed a writ petition challenging the government’s decision to make the national identity card mandatory for accessing public services. The petition, filed by Advocate Ram Bahadur Raut and others, argued that implementing the card nationwide could pose risks to service seekers. A full bench of Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut and Justices Abdul Aziz Musalman and Nripdhwaj Niraula ruled on January 19 to dismiss the petition, allowing the government to proceed with its decision.
Previously, the government had decided to make the national identity card mandatory for renewing social security allowances in 28 districts starting July 16, 2081 BS. An interim order had temporarily halted the decision, but the dismissal now paves the way for its implementation. The court’s written verdict is awaited.
Special Court Urges Expedited Hearing in Corruption Case
The Special Court has directed the Public Prosecutor’s Office to schedule a hearing promptly and ensure it is not delayed further. on Corruption case involving MDMS. Despite an earlier order on August 11 for both parties to submit argument notes within 21 days, the government failed to comply.
A division bench led by Chief Justice Tek Bahadur Kunwar criticized the government for hindering the justice process by neglecting court orders. The case, filed by the CIAA in March last year, involves 19 defendants, including two former chairpersons of the Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA).
Tech Giants Strengthen Efforts Against Online Hate Under EU Rules
Meta, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, and other tech companies have committed to stricter measures against online hate speech under an updated EU code of conduct, now aligned with the Digital Services Act (DSA).
The code requires platforms to work with experts to monitor hate speech, review two-thirds of flagged content within 24 hours, and enhance automatic detection tools. Companies will also provide detailed reports on hate speech by category (e.g., race, religion, gender identity) and disclose how recommendation systems amplify harmful content. Signatories include Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Snapchat, and others. EU officials emphasized the code’s importance in enforcing the DSA.
Trump Grants TikTok Reprieve with Executive Order Amid Sale Talks
Former President Donald Trump has signed an executive order granting TikTok a 75-day extension to comply with a law requiring the platform’s sale or ban. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump hinted at a 50-50 joint venture between the U.S. and TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, while also threatening tariffs if a deal isn’t reached.
The platform, previously banned under national security concerns during Biden’s administration, briefly stopped working in the U.S. but resumed after Trump’s intervention. While TikTok faces scrutiny for alleged ties to Beijing, Trump’s decision places him at odds with his party, as lawmakers push for harsher measures.
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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.
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