Digital Rights Weekly/ Year 5 Issue 33

Aug 14, 2026

Journalist’s Arrest Sparks Debate Over Privacy and Press Freedom
Police have arrested Kishor Shrestha, publisher and editor of Jana Aastha Saptahik alleging violation of privacy. The arrest followed an investigation and was carried out after police obtained an arrest warrant from the Kathmandu District Court. The case concerns content published by Jana Aastha weekly and its online platform about the private lives and activities of a constitutional officeholder and a Member of Parliament, including photographs. The publication has defended its reporting, while critics argue that some of the content crossed the boundaries of privacy and journalistic ethics.
Following the arrest, police also raided the Jana Aastha office in Lalitpur and Shrestha’s residence and seized computers and other equipment. The action has raised concerns among journalists and rights advocates, particularly over whether the seizure of media equipment could compromise the confidentiality of journalistic sources. The Press Council Nepal has asserted that it has jurisdiction over content published by the media. Its chairperson stated that the Council had already received a complaint concerning Jana Aastha and had initiated the relevant process, including correspondence asking the outlet to publish a rebuttal.
The incident has triggered a broader debate over whether alleged privacy violations in media content should primarily be addressed through the Press Council’s regulatory mechanisms or through criminal investigation and arrest by the police. While journalists must respect privacy and professional ethics, concerns remain over the use of criminal enforcement and police raids in response to disputed news content.
The right to privacy and freedom of expression are both protected under Nepal’s legal framework. The Privacy Act, 2018 provides privacy protections, while public officials have a comparatively narrower expectation of privacy concerning their official work and activities. At the same time, reporting on matters of public interest does not remove the obligation to protect genuinely private information. Concerns have also been raised regarding Article 19 of the Constitution, which protects the right to communication and provides that no communication medium shall be shut down or confiscated merely for publishing or broadcasting material. Raiding a media office and confiscating equipment may therefore have implications for press freedom and the protection of journalistic sources.
The incident highlights the difficult balance between privacy, public-interest journalism, press freedom, media accountability and due process. While media organizations must respect privacy and avoid harmful or unjustified disclosures, regulatory or law-enforcement responses should also respect constitutional protections, the independence of journalism and the confidentiality of journalistic sources.

Nepal Police Seeks Legal Authority for Real-Time Communication Interception
Nepal Police has asked the government to establish a legal framework allowing it to intercept telephone calls and digital communications in real time during serious criminal investigations. Police argue that increasingly sophisticated technologies used by criminals require modern investigative tools. The proposal has brought forth concerns over privacy, surveillance and potential abuse of the power. Legal experts say live interception is significantly more intrusive than accessing call detail records or SMS logs and must be governed by strict legal conditions and independent judicial oversight.
Experts warned without stringent safeguards, interception powers could undermine the right to privacy guaranteed under Article 28 of the Constitution and potentially be misused against political opponents, journalists, activists or other individuals. Police officials, however, maintain that they are seeking targeted interception powers subject to judicial approval and independent oversight, rather than unrestricted surveillance.Government Establishes New IT and Digital Governance Office
The government has dissolved the Department of Information Technology and established the Information Technology and digital Governance Office under the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.
The new office, led by Secretary-level official, will consolidate IT-related public bodies and oversee areas including digital governance, data management, system development, and cybersecurity. The restructuring aims to create a more integrated, secure, and efficient digital governance system.

Cybercrime Complaints Rise to Over 20,500 in FY 2025/26
Nepal Police recorded 20,526 cybercrime complaints during FY 2025/26, marking an increase from 18,926 complaints in FY 2024/25 and 19,730 in FY 2023/24. During the FY 2025/26 fiscal year, 161 cases were filed and 155 individuals were arrested. Social media-related complaints accounted for a significant share, including 7,123 involving Facebook/Messenger, 6,776 TikTok, 3,105 WhatsApp, 1,031 Telegram, and 628 Instagram. Other complaints involved email, Viber, YouTube, online banking and digital wallets, as well as institutional accounts.
According to the Cyber Bureau, emerging trends include fake bank or digital wallet representatives, fraudulent gift and lottery offers, parcel scams, romance scams, fake foreign employment and online job offers, and online shopping fraud. The Bureau has highlighted the growing sophistication of technology-facilitated crimes and the need to strengthen police capacity, cybersecurity awareness, and public education to prevent and investigate such offenses.

SC’s Interim Order Blocks Publication of Ncell Investigation Report
Ncell has objected to the government’s publication of the Ncell Share Purchase–Sale Study and Investigation Report, 2080, arguing that it contains confidential and sensitive business, investment, tax, and personal information protected by law. The company said the disclosure violates constitutional and legal protections of privacy and confidentiality and could undermine investor confidence and Nepal’s investment environment.
The Supreme Court has issued an interim order directing the government not to implement its decision to publish the report. The Court noted that the report contains investment details and trade secrets and that its disclosure could affect confidentiality and business operations. The government has been asked to submit a written response within 15 days. The case follows Ncell’s earlier objection to the report’s publication and its warning that it may pursue legal remedies over the alleged violation of its confidentiality and privacy rights.

Petition Seeks Mandatory CCTV and Body Cameras in Police Custody
A writ petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking mandatory audio-video CCTV cameras in all police stations, detention cells, and interrogation areas, along with body-worn cameras for police officers during arrests. The petitioners argue that comprehensive recording and at least 18-month footage retention would help prevent custodial torture and human rights violations while strengthening transparency and accountability in Nepal’s criminal justice system.

‘Rate My Leader’ Remains Blocked After Election
The online platform ‘Rate My Leader’ remains blocked months after the 2026 House of Representatives election, despite the election period having ended. Blocked by the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) following an Election Commission recommendation, its legal representative has requested the Commission to lift the restriction. The petition argues that continued blocking may no longer be justified under election-related restrictions and could affect citizens’ freedom of expression and right to information. The platform aims to promote public accountability by enabling citizens to rate and evaluate political leaders.

NTA Publishes Draft Roadmap for Nepal’s 5G Development
The Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has published the draft “Mobile Broadband Enhancement Plan: Nepal’s Road to 5G” and invited public feedback within 15 days. The roadmap targets an average nationwide 5G speed of 20 Mbps by 2027, 100 Mbps in metropolitan and sub-metropolitan areas by 2030, and nationwide 5G coverage by 2035.

NRB Flags KYC and Risk Management Gaps in Digital Payment Services
Nepal Rastra Bank’s Payment Systems Oversight Report 2024/25 found weaknesses in KYC verification, governance, internal controls, and risk management among several payment service providers. The central bank warned that inadequate customer verification could increase risks of money laundering, cybercrime, fraud, and illegal transactions, and directed providers to strengthen KYC compliance and risk management systems.

Nepal Digital Rights School 2026: Strengthening Journalists’ Capacity for a Safer and Rights-Respecting Digital Environment
The Nepal Digital Rights School 2026 concluded successfully in Pokhara, Kaski, on 10–11 August 2026, bringing together journalists from diverse professional backgrounds and levels of experience.
The two-day programme provided a platform for participants to engage with key issues related to digital rights and responsibilities, digital inclusion and access, information integrity, fact-checking, digital literacy, online safety and security, and responsible digital participation. Through interactive discussions, peer learning, knowledge exchange, and practical exercises, participants strengthened their understanding and skills to navigate the digital environment safely, critically, and responsibly, while contributing to a more inclusive, safe, and rights-respecting digital space.
The programme was organized with the support of Media Defence (MD) and in coordination with the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), FNJ Pokhara, and FNJ Gandaki.

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.

This publication has been produced with financial support from Norway. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of Digital Rights Nepal and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the Government of Norway.