UN Cybercrime Convention is open for signature
On 25 October 2025, United Nations opened for signature a landmark treaty in Hanoi aimed at tackling cybercrime, with 72 member states initial signatories, yet nations including Nepal and India have either abstained or delayed signing. The UN General Assembly had adopted the Convention on 24 December 2024 by resolution 79/243. The Convention shall enter into force on the ninetieth day after the date of deposit of the fortieth instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, as provided by Article 65(1) of the Convention. Key objectives of the Convention include strengthening international cooperation for combating certain crimes committed by means of information and communications technology systems and for the sharing of evidence in electronic form of serious crimes. The Convention is open for signature at UN Headquarters until 31 December 2026.
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Government Grants National ID-Data Access to Key Sectors
Nepal government has approved a decision to allow the use of the National Identity Card (NID) data across the major sectors, extending the applications of the ID system for public-service access. The sectors include the specified areas related to Foreign Employment Service, Court Case Management, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology’s Foreign Study Permission Service, Local Level Registration, Citizenship, Social Security, Relief and Disaster Management, immigration services, and prisoner identification, verification and prisoner details. The Department of National ID & Civil Registration will oversee the implementation, enabling service providers in these sectors to verify citizens’ identity using NID information.
Nepali Workers Trapped in Digital Slavery and Forced into Global Online Fraud
Recent reports have revealed that Nepali workers are among hundreds being trafficked to countries such as Oman under false promises of IT or data-entry jobs and are later held captive to run large-scale online scams, including cryptocurrency fraud, gambling, and romance scams. The workers’ passports and phones are seized upon arrival, and they are confined in guarded compounds, coerced to defraud online users for long hours under threats and physical abuse. During early October, Oman deported 20 Nepalis convicted for cybercrime. The United Nations Human Rights Office have identified such cyber-fraud centres as a new form of modern slavery and human trafficking, with victims deceived through fake digital job advertisements and coerced into illegal online work.
Dalit Activist Sunar Released on NPR 50,000 Bail
Dalit rights activist Khagendra Sunar appeared before the Kavrepalanchok District Court on 30 October 2025 after an arrest warrant was issued on 20 July 2025. He appeared in connection with allegations of contempt of court and verbally abusing lawyer Manisha Gautam on social media and during a live video, which prompted the complaint. Kavrepalanchok District Court ordered the release of Dalit rights activist Khagendra Sunar on a bail bond of NPR 50,000.
Digital Security Alert: Beware of Fake Bank Websites and Fake Wallet Scams
The Cyber Bureau of Nepal has issued a notice warning that scammers are creating websites that closely mimic official bank portals and using them to defraud customers. Users are advised to verify the authenticity of bank websites, apps, and social‑media pages before entering personal or financial information.
An illicit online betting platform is reportedly using the name of the digital wallet ‘Khalti’ to promote its service, leveraging YouTube and social‑media influencers to attract users. The site entices users with promises of easy earnings and uses fake affiliations with Khalti to build credibility.
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Youth & Internet: Capacity Building on Cybersecurity and Digital Rights
On October 31, Open Internet Nepal, in collaboration with the Digital Rights Action Group (DRAG) and with the support of ICNL and Norway, organized a capacity-building program on cybersecurity and digital rights for youth. The event featured sessions on the internet governance ecosystem, digital rights awareness and advocacy, and best practices in digital hygiene and cybersecurity. Participants also engaged in a mapping exercise to identify threats, responses, and opportunities in Nepal’s digital rights and cybersecurity landscape.
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Public Hearing on Information Integrity: Challenges of Mis/Disinformation
Digital Rights Nepal participated in a public hearing on “Information Integrity: Challenges of Mis/Disinformation” organized by the Nepal FM Network on October 31, 2025, at Gambhir Samundra Setu School, Kathmandu. The panel, featuring Hon. National Assembly Members Ms. Tulasha Kumari Dahal and Ms. Bishnu Devi Pudasaini, FNJ Chairperson Ms. Nirmala Sharma, and Digital Rights Nepal Executive Director Mr. Santosh Sigdel, discussed Nepal’s evolving information ecosystem, the role of mis/disinformation in the Gen Z movement, the status of the Social Media Bill, and key fact-checking and protection 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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