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Nearly Rs. 50 Million Spent on Meta Political & Social Ads in Nepal in Four Years
A recent analysis of Meta’s Ad Library found that more than USD 366,850 has been spent on Facebook and Instagram advertisements related to social issues, elections, and politics in Nepal since September 2022, with nearly 39,700 ads published during this period. While international organizations such as UNICEF and civil society initiatives were among the largest advertisers, the data also shows a growing presence of foreign state media and international agencies targeting Nepali audiences.
The findings come as Nepal begins implementing its National Advertising Policy 2026, which strengthens oversight of digital advertising by requiring influencers and advertisers to disclose sponsored content and introducing regulation of AI-generated advertisements, including deepfakes. The growth of digital advertising has also contributed to government revenue through a 13% VAT and a 2% Digital Service Tax levied on eligible foreign digital platforms operating in Nepal. |
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Supreme Court Invalidates Ncell Share Sale, Clears Path for Government Ownership
Nepal’s Supreme Court ruled that the sale of 80% of Ncell’s shares was legally invalid due to the lack of prior regulatory approval and concerns over transparency, while directing regulators to strengthen oversight and tax compliance. The Court also reaffirmed that Ncell’s assets must transfer to the Government of Nepal when its 25-year telecom license expires in 2029, unless the law changes. Meanwhile, Ncell has urged the Prime Minister to review telecom regulations and license renewal conditions, proposing license renewal and an IPO to increase Nepali ownership instead of government takeover. Probe Finds Irregularities in Nepal Television Satellite Procurement
A government investigation has found serious irregularities in Nepal Television’s satellite bandwidth procurement, including violations of public procurement laws, financial mismanagement, and decisions that allegedly caused losses of over NPR 206 million. The report recommends legal action against officials involved, citing non-transparent contracting, overpayments, unnecessary bandwidth purchases, and weak financial oversight. It also links procurement failures to a 30-minute nationwide broadcast disruption in 2022. High Court Grants Bail to YouTuber in Cybercrime Case
The High Court has released a YouTuber Roshan Pokharel on NPR 25,000 bail in a cybercrime case involving allegations of publishing obscene and defamatory content targeting Kathmandu PM Balendra Shah and other public figures. The ruling overturns a previous district court order for pretrial detention, allowing the accused to remain out of custody while the case proceeds. NRB Makes National ID Mandatory for Digital Wallets and Existing Bank Accounts
Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has amended its payment system directive, making National ID (NID) details mandatory for digital wallet users as part of a centralized Know Your Customer (KYC) system. Wallet providers must collect users’ NID information by the end of Ashwin 2083, while users without an NID must update their details after obtaining one. The requirement also applies to existing bank accounts opened before Magh 2080. NRB has warned that customers failing to update NID details may face restricted banking and wallet services. Kathmandu Police Digitizes Over 61% of Criminal Case Records
The Kathmandu District Police Office has digitized more than 61% of its registered case files, scanning 6,861 of 11,078 cases to improve record management. The office has also created digital profiles of 1,871 repeat offenders and expanded online services, including case deadline extensions. Police say the initiative is part of broader efforts to modernize policing through digital technology. TikTok QR Scam Targets Online Shoppers
Several Nepali consumers have lost thousands of rupees to a TikTok shopping scam involving fake sellers and QR code fraud. Victims were lured by heavily discounted products, asked to pay a small delivery fee, and later told their payment was “on hold.” Scammers then requested bank statements and tricked them into scanning QR codes and entering specific amounts, resulting in unauthorized transfers. The scams relied on fake TikTok accounts, copied product videos, and personal bank accounts instead of verified business payment systems. Court Orders Pretrial Detention in Social Media Defamation Case
A district court has ordered the pretrial detention of an individual accused of posting obscene, hateful, and defamatory content targeting Supreme Court judges on social media. The case has been filed under Nepal’s Electronic Transactions Act, 2006. The court found sufficient preliminary evidence to justify detention during the trial and rejected the defense claim that the social media account had been hacked, noting that the available technical evidence did not support the claim. |
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DRN Activities Building Safer Digital Spaces Together!
Digital Rights Nepal, in collaboration with Sancharika Samuha, successfully conducted orientation on “Safer Digital Spaces: Understanding and Responding to Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV)” for women journalists and young digital rights advocates from Gandaki Province. The session explored the concept of TFGBV, its major forms, and practical digital safety and digital hygiene measures to help participants navigate online spaces more safely and confidently. Through engaging discussions and knowledge sharing, participants strengthened their understanding of online gender-based violence and the importance of collective action in creating safer, more inclusive, and rights-respecting digital environments. |
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Digital Democracy Summit: Building a rights-respecting digital future for Nepal
On 23 July 2026, Digital Rights Nepal (DRN) joined Accountability Lab Nepal and other partners to organize the Digital Democracy Summit 2026, bringing together over 100 participants from government, civil society, the private sector, development partners, youth groups, academia, and the media. The summit focused on strengthening Nepal’s digital governance framework, promoting policies that address online harms while protecting digital rights and freedom of expression, and fostering collaboration for a more inclusive digital future.
As part of the summit, DRN led a session titled “In the Age of Digitalization: How Do We Protect Digital Rights?” exploring Nepal’s digital transformation initiatives, including digital public services, digital identity, AI adoption, and integrated digital governance, and discussing how these efforts can remain transparent, inclusive, and grounded in human rights. As Nepal continues to advance its digital transformation, protecting privacy, promoting accountability, and ensuring no one is left behind must remain at the heart of digital governance. |
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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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