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NA Unanimously Passes Commitment Proposal to Combat Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence
On 1 July 2026, National Assembly (NA) unanimously passed a commitment proposal directing the government to strengthen the country’s legal and policy framework to prevent, address, and prosecute technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) while ensuring women’s rights and access to justice. The proposal reflects growing concern over the increasing use of digital technologies and online platforms to perpetrate gender-based violence in Nepal.
The proposal recognizes that the rapid expansion of social media, digital platforms, artificial intelligence (AI), data misuse, and digital surveillance has led to a significant rise in online harms, including cyberstalking, deepfakes, online sexual harassment, sextortion, online grooming, and doxxing. It notes that these forms of abuse have become increasingly normalized, creating fear, psychological distress, and reputational harm, while discouraging victims from exercising their freedom of expression and participating in public life.
Acknowledging that Nepal’s existing legal framework only partially addresses online abuse, the National Assembly directed the government to amend existing laws and develop a dedicated legal framework that clearly defines TFGBV and provides comprehensive measures for its prevention, investigation, prosecution, victim protection, remedies, and compensation. The proposal also calls for strengthened digital literacy and online safety education, victim-friendly reporting mechanisms, digital evidence preservation systems, and improved coordination among federal, provincial, and local governments. The proposal further highlights that women journalists, human rights defenders, politicians, adolescent girls, LGBTQ+ individuals, and other women active in public life face a heightened risk of digital violence. It emphasizes that TFGBV is not only a cybercrime or women’s rights issue but also a barrier to constitutional rights, including freedom of expression, political participation, equal representation, and access to justice.
The commitment proposal received unanimous support from all political parties represented in the National Assembly. The Minister of Women, Children, Gender and Sexual Minorities, and Social Security welcomed the proposal and affirmed that preventing and addressing technology-facilitated gender-based violence is a government priority. She stated that the government is committed to strengthening Nepal’s legal and institutional framework to effectively respond to the growing threat of digital gender-based violence. |
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Nepal Supreme Court Approves AI Policy for Courts, Bars Its Use in Judicial Decisions
The Supreme Court of Nepal has approved the Judiciary Information and Communication Technology Policy, 2026, paving the way for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in judicial administration. The policy permits AI to assist with legal research, case management, document drafting, and making court orders and judgments searchable, while explicitly prohibiting its use in judicial decision-making, judgment writing, and writ preparation. It also requires AI systems used by the judiciary to be assessed for reliability, transparency, and bias, and includes plans for awareness and training programs on the responsible use of AI across the justice sector. Nepal Approves National Advertising Policy 2026 with Digital and AI Advertising Regulations
The government has approved the National Advertising Policy, 2026 to make Nepal’s advertising sector more transparent, accountable, competitive, and aligned with emerging technologies. The policy covers traditional media, digital platforms, social media, influencer marketing, and AI-generated advertising content.
The policy provides for disclosure standards for digital advertisements and measures relating to AI-generated and deepfake content. It emphasizes consumer protection by discouraging false, misleading, harmful, obscene, violent, and discriminatory advertisements, while promoting responsible advertising practices and consumer awareness. Special priority is given to the protection of children, gender equality, diversity, persons with disabilities, and marginalized communities. The policy also seeks to strengthen media credibility by discouraging the presentation of advertisements as news content. Nepal Rejoins ITU ICT Development Index 2026, Highlighting Digital Usage Gap
Nepal has re-entered the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) ICT Development Index (IDI) 2026 scoring 68.1 after a three-year absence. Although the score is below the global average (79) and the Asia-Pacific average (80), it is well above the average for least developed countries (53). The report highlights a significant gap between digital infrastructure and actual internet use. Nepal scored 83.7 in meaningful connectivity, reflecting strong progress in network infrastructure, service quality, affordability, and device access, but only 52.5 in universal connectivity, showing that internet adoption remains limited. Nepal also performed well on affordability, scoring 92.7 for mobile data and voice services and 80.8 for fixed broadband affordability. Nepali Artists File Cyber Complaint Over AI-Generated Songs
A group of Nepali musicians led by Bimal Adhikari has filed a complaint with the Nepal Police Cyber Bureau against 95 YouTube channels for allegedly creating and uploading AI-generated versions of songs without authorization. The artists claim that some AI-generated tracks are uploaded before the original works are registered, causing automated copyright systems to wrongly recognize the AI versions as the originals and raising concerns over the impact of AI on copyright protection. Nepal Government restricts Use of Mobile Scanning Apps for Official Documents
The Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers has directed all levels of government not to use mobile scanning applications, such as CamScanner, for official documents, citing concerns over data confidentiality, digital security, and national security. The circular warns that scanned documents may be uploaded to foreign servers, increasing the risk of leaks involving sensitive government information. Authorities have emphasized the responsibility of public officials to protect and securely store official records. The directive follows growing international concerns over data sovereignty and the use of third-party scanning apps, with countries such as India, the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom imposing restrictions on similar technologies for government use. 115 Nepalis Lose Rs 22.9 Million in World Cup Malware Scam
Nepal Police’s Cyber Bureau reported that 115 people lost more than Rs 22.9 million after downloading malicious apps or clicking deceptive links promising free FIFA World Cup streaming. The malware enabled scammers to steal sensitive data and banking information, allowing unauthorized transfers from victims’ accounts. Authorities have urged the public to avoid unknown links and unverified applications, noting that no new complaints have been reported in recent weeks. Nepal Launches ‘Hall of Fame’ to Reward Responsible Cybersecurity Disclosure
The government has launched Nepal’s first “Hall of Fame” initiative to recognize cybersecurity researchers who responsibly disclose vulnerabilities in government digital systems. The initiative aims to strengthen digital security by encouraging ethical reporting of security flaws, particularly as the government develops new digital services, including a messaging platform. The platform also serves as a hub for developers and innovators, allowing verified users to share ideas, report vulnerabilities, and collaborate on government technology initiatives. So far, 39 developers and four cybersecurity researchers have been recognized on the platform. NMC Files Cyber Complaint Against Former Secretary
The Nepal Medical Council (NMC) has filed a complaint with the Nepal Police Cyber Bureau against former Secretary Bhim Prasad Upadhyay, accusing him of defamation and spreading misleading information through a Facebook post. The complaint alleges that Upadhyay used abusive language and made false accusations against the Council’s officials in a post featuring the Acting Registrar. Five Eyes Warn of Rising AI Cyber Threats
On 22 June 2026, the Five Eyes cyber security agencies warned that rapid advances in AI are accelerating cyber threats while also offering new opportunities for defence. They urged organizations to strengthen cyber resilience by adopting secure-by-design practices, promptly patching vulnerabilities, securing access controls, preparing for incidents, and using AI to enhance cybersecurity, emphasizing that cyber resilience is now a core business responsibility. Rising Online Abuse Against Women Politicians Threatens Democratic Participation in Nepal
Despite increased political representation, women politicians in Nepal are facing escalating online harassment, gender-based abuse, sexualized comments, threats, and character assassination, raising concerns about their ability to participate safely in public life.
Lawmakers Sajida Siddiqui and Parvati BK have reported persistent cyber abuse for expressing their views in Parliament and on public issues. Siddiqui has received misogynistic insults, rape threats, and coordinated online attacks, prompting her to collect evidence and prepare a complaint to the Nepal Police Cyber Bureau. BK similarly faced abusive comments targeting both her gender and caste after raising concerns about secularism in Parliament. The incidents highlight how digital violence is increasingly being used to silence women in politics and undermine their democratic participation. |
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Publication ID Support: Digital Capitalism and the Digital National Identification Development Project in Nepal
A new study by Harsha Man Maharjan introduces the concept of “ID support” to examine how international technical, financial, and technological assistance has shaped Nepal’s digital national ID project. The paper argues that donor funding and multinational technology companies have played a key role in the project’s development, highlighting the influence of digital capitalism and foreign aid on digital ID systems in the Global South.
Full read: ID Support: Digital Capitalism and the Digital National Identification Development Project in Nepal |
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Unveiling Cyber-Surveillance Technologies in South Asia
Digital Rights Foundation has published a new report, Unveiling Cyber-Surveillance Technologies in South Asia, examining the evolving landscape of state surveillance in select countries of South Asia. The report explores the historical development of surveillance practices, assesses existing legal and regulatory frameworks along with their shortcomings, reviews oversight mechanisms, and analyzes the growing deployment of digital surveillance technologies. The study further highlights how weak governance, inadequate legal safeguards, and limited accountability have facilitated the expansion of surveillance infrastructures across the region. It also examines the broader implications of these developments for human rights, privacy, freedom of expression, and civic space. |
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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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