Authorities Intensify Action Against Continuing Flood-Related Misinformation
Authorities have intensified efforts to address the continued spread of misinformation, disinformation, fabricated content and AI-generated videos related to the devastating Bhotekoshi–Trishuli floods, warning that misinformation could undermine public trust, create panic and hamper ongoing rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts in affected districts including Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading.
Nepal Police has increased monitoring of false information, rumors, misleading content and material capable of harming social harmony. A 10-member technical team under the Cyber Bureau has been formed to identify and respond to such content. The Cyber Bureau has requested social media platforms to remove 173 misleading videos, 168 from Facebook, four from TikTok and one from Instagram. Authorities have also taken enforcement action against individuals accused of spreading harmful content. Police arrested a person for allegedly posting Facebook Reels that insulted ethnic communities and appeared to celebrate the loss of life and property caused by the floods. This demonstrates that disaster-related information risks extend beyond inaccurate claims to include hate speech, inflammatory content and material that exploits human suffering for online engagement. The police have urged the public to verify information through official and reliable sources before sharing it online.
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Press Council Issued Editorial Guideline During Disaster
The Press Council Nepal has issued the Editorial Guidelines for Positive, Humane, and Responsible Communication During Disasters, 2026. The guidelines call on media organizations and journalists to prioritize verified, useful and humane information rather than sensationalism or the race to publish first. Guidelines discourage against the unnecessary publication of graphic images, victims’ private information, distressing images involving children and unverified casualty figures. Journalists are also instructed to verify material obtained from social media by checking its source, location, timing and context and by seeking independent evidence, with particular caution toward AI-generated, old, recycled or manipulated visuals. The guidelines emphasize the responsibility of media to provide practical information about warnings, safe locations, hospitals, relief centers and emergency services, respect the dignity and consent of victims, avoid obstructing rescue operations and promptly correct inaccurate information.Australia Proposes Right to Disable Social Media Algorithms
Australia is set to introduce legislation allowing users to turn off algorithm-driven social media feeds.
The proposed digital duty of care laws would also require platforms to address harmful content, including illegal pornography and material promoting disordered eating. While the government says the reforms are aimed at user safety and choice, not censorship, opposition figures have raised concerns about potential restrictions on free speech.
Tokha to Install CCTV Cameras Worth NPR 40 Million
Tokha Municipality has signed an MoU with the Kathmandu Valley Police Office to install CCTV cameras worth NPR 40 million at key intersections and sensitive locations to strengthen public safety, traffic management and governance. The Kathmandu Valley Police Office will handle procurement and installation, while a joint municipality-police committee will oversee the system. The new cameras will also be integrated with Tokha’s existing CCTV network to improve security monitoring, crime prevention and investigation.
Government Warns Against Online Abuse of Disaster Victims
The government has warned of strict action against people who harass, provoke or make derogatory comments about disaster victims on social media. The warning followed online abuse directed at a woman from Rasuwa who publicly pleaded for help finding her husband missing in the Bhote Koshi floods. Some social media users reportedly mocked her and made obscene and politically motivated comments after she criticized the government.
Nepal Not Accepting Cryptocurrency Donations for Flood Relief
Following the 26 August 2026 floods, donations from Nepal and abroad have been flowing into the government’s relief funds. Amid this, claims have circulated on social media that Nepal is accepting cryptocurrency donations. The Ministry of Finance has clarified that Nepal does not directly receive cryptocurrency. Nepal Rastra Bank also reiterated that cryptocurrency remains illegal in Nepal, and Nepali banks cannot directly accept crypto transactions. NRB has previously warned that activities including buying, selling, holding, mining and investing in cryptocurrency are punishable under prevailing law.
Man Arrested Over Alleged Communal Hate Content
Police arrested a man after he allegedly posted provocative and abusive content on social media targeting religious and community groups while working abroad. He was taken into custody within a week after returning to Nepal from Japan, and was later released by the district court on Rs. 25,000 bail. Police are continuing their investigation, while the court has ordered the device allegedly used to post the content to be preserved as evidence. |
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Project Announcement | Digital Rights Nepal
We are thrilled to announce our participation in the Advancing Civic Engagement for Democratic Participation Project!
Supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented by UNDP Nepal this partnership is a major step forward in our mission to champion digital rights and safety across the country.
As part of this initiative, the DRN team will be on the ground leading Digital and Media Literacy Training and Analysis in Koshi, Madhesh, Karnali, and Sudurpashchim Provinces, as well as right here in Kathmandu. We will be working closely with youth leaders and Civil Society Organization (CSO) representatives to build a safer, more informed digital ecosystem.
Through this project, we are equipping participants to:
 Navigate the digital world safely by recognizing online harms and protecting digital rights.
Promote responsible civic engagement to ensure voices are heard constructively online.
Build critical media literacy to actively identify and counter misinformation.
Prevent & respond to digital threats with practical, hands-on safety measures.
We look forward to collaborating with local partners and communities across all four provinces to foster a resilient, digitally empowered citizenry capable of driving meaningful democratic participation.
To learn more about the project: https://www.undp.org/nepal/projects/ACEDP |
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Disclaimer: Digital Rights Weekly is a weekly publication that curates and analyses news and developments on digital rights and ICT issues, primarily based on media monitoring and publicly available sources. The inclusion of any report or reference does not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Digital Rights Nepal (DRN), unless mentioned explicitly otherwise. AI assistance may have been used solely to improve language, grammar, and readability.
Digital Rights Nepal (DRN) is a not-for-profit initiative dedicated to promoting and protecting digital rights in Nepal, including freedom of expression and association online, privacy, access to information, internet governance, AI governance, and cyber laws, policies, and security.
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