Central Bank Unveils Draft Framework for National Payment Switch
To make the digital payment system more organized, transparent, inclusive, and sustainable, the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has released the draft framework for the National Payment Switch and National Payment Ecosystem. The framework envisions connecting all banks, wallets, and payment service providers through a single shared switch system, enabling faster, safer, and interoperable card and non-card transactions. It also aims to make Nepal’s payment infrastructure fully integrated, transparent, and cross-border friendly.
The draft, open for feedback until December 6, 2025, invites input from banks, fintechs, payment operators, technical experts, and the public. NRB emphasized that the system will reduce fragmentation, promote fair competition, and enhance consumer experience by allowing seamless transactions across any bank or wallet.
|
|
|
Cyber Bureau Investigates Fake Social Media Accounts Impersonating Prime Minister
The Police Cyber Bureau has launched an investigation into over 26 fake social media accounts created in the name of Prime Minister Sushila Karki. According to Bureau spokesperson SP Deepak Raj Awasthi, most of these accounts were found on Meta platforms, with some on other networks. Following a press release from the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers warning against misleading posts from fake profiles, the Bureau has initiated steps to shut down the fraudulent accounts and take necessary legal action.
Minister Kharal Urges Fact-Checking Mechanisms for Social Media Content
Minister of Communication and Information Technology Jagdish Kharal has called for the establishment of mechanisms to fact-check misleading content on social media and communication platforms. During his visit to Press Council Nepal, he emphasized the need for systems to verify information and offered support for any collaborative efforts. Currently, the Press Council conducts fact-checking manually by contacting concerned parties or requesting written responses. However, with the rise of misinformation and AI-generated content, the Council lacks the technical tools, budget, and manpower to detect false information in real time. Minister Kharal suggested that technical personnel could be provided to help develop such mechanisms.
Telegram Still Accessible Despite Government Ban in Nepal
Despite being banned by the government for use in online fraud, gambling, and money laundering, the messaging app Telegram continues to operate on most internet service providers (ISPs) in Nepal. While mobile operators Nepal Telecom and Ncell enforced the ban, many ISPs reportedly ignored the government directive issued by the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) on 18 July 2025.
NTA clarified that the ban remains in place and legal action will be taken if Telegram is found accessible. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology said there was no policy decision to lift the ban, noting that Telegram has applied for registration, but no formal process has been completed.
National ID Card Said to Save Billions
Department of National ID and Civil Registration has claimed that the mandatory requirement of NID for social security allowances has saved the state treasury around NPR 4 billion annually, eliminating duplicate and fraudulent claims. Director General Yubaraj Kattel stated that over the past two fiscal years, this has amounted to NPR 8 billion in savings.
Previously, some individuals received allowances from multiple districts or both their place of birth and residence. With the ID card requirement, such practices have ended, making the distribution system transparent, organized, and convenient. About 3.8 million Nepalis now receive allowances under eight categories, including senior citizen, disability, and child nutrition allowances. Vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly above 90, and the disabled continue to receive benefits even without an ID card.
Online System Introduced for Document Recovery of Burned Vehicles
Following the GenZ youth movement on September 8 and 9, the Valley Traffic Police Office has launched an online system to help citizens recover burned or lost vehicle documents without visiting the office. According to Police, applicants can fill out the form by clicking on “If Documents Are Lost” on the office’s website. After submission, an application number is generated, which can later be used to obtain a QR-coded recommendation letter. Citizens can then visit the relevant traffic office with this letter to complete the process.
EU Lawmakers Propose Minimum Age of 16 for Social Media and AI Services
European lawmakers have proposed setting a minimum age of 16 for accessing social media and AI-assisted services without parental consent, aiming to protect minors from harmful online content. Children under 13 would not be allowed access without parental permission. The proposal, passed by the European Parliament’s Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection, also calls for fines and sanctions on platforms violating the Digital Services Act (DSA) and measures to restrict harmful algorithms, addictive content, and online gambling for minors.
|
|
|
Digital Rights School 2025: Empowering CSOs for a Safer Digital Future
Digital Rights Nepal successfully concluded the Pokhara edition of the Digital Rights School (DRS) 2025 on October 13–14, bringing together 30 civil society participants for two days of interactive learning and collaboration. Adopting a new CSO-focused format, DRS 2025 aimed to strengthen digital resilience, institutional safety practices, and advocacy for a rights-based digital environment. The curriculum covered key areas such as digital rights, access and inclusion, online freedom of expression, privacy and data protection, information integrity, cybercrime, and online safety.
Building on its 2024 success, where over 210 participants were trained nationwide, this year’s program emphasized the integration of national legal frameworks with global human rights standards, empowering participants to recognize online threats, address censorship and digital violence, and adopt safer digital practices in their work.
|
|
|
Capacity Building for Lawyers: Strengthening Digital Rights and Safety Awareness
Digital Rights Nepal successfully organized a Capacity-Building Workshop for Lawyers focused on enhancing understanding of digital rights, online safety, and personal digital hygiene in the digital age. The workshop brought together legal practitioners and law students to explore key issues such as privacy, cybersecurity, data protection, and online safety. Through engaging discussions and interactive threat modeling exercises, participants analyzed real-life digital threat scenarios, learned strategies for secure online practices, and reflected on the critical role of lawyers in protecting rights and ensuring justice in the digital sphere. This initiative aimed to empower legal professionals to navigate the evolving digital landscape with greater confidence, responsibility, and rights-based awareness. |
|
Capacity-Building Workshop on Strengthening Organizational Digital Safety
Digital Rights Nepal successfully organized a Capacity-Building Workshop for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) on October 17, 2025, aimed at enhancing organizational digital safety and resilience. The workshop covered key issues such as understanding major digital threats, identifying practical tools for protection, implementing best practices to safeguard data and communications, and developing strategies to mitigate risks faced by CSOs. Through interactive discussions and exercises, participants gained valuable insights into strengthening both personal and institutional digital security, fostering a more secure and informed digital environment for their organizations. |
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
