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🇳🇵 Nepal /Culture & Society

Nepal rights body finds tech misused to incite protest violence

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Nepal's National Human Rights Commission found technology was systematically misused to incite violence during September protests.
  • AI-generated images of destruction and a fake police Facebook page spread misinformation, while hacked school digital boards encouraged student participation.
  • The commission criticized security agencies for failing to counter online warnings and disable accounts, highlighting weak preparedness.

Nepal's National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has concluded that technology was deliberately misused to instigate violence during the September Gen Z protests. The commission's investigation report states that "technology was used as a weapon" to psychologically prepare protesters and mislead security forces.

technology was used as a weapon

— NHRC Investigation ReportDescribing how technology was employed to psychologically prepare protesters and mislead security personnel.

AI-generated images depicting key state structures like Parliament and Singha Durbar being burned or vandalized were circulated on social media before the demonstrations began. The NHRC found that such content fueled confusion and inflamed public sentiment. The report indicates that while one group planned peaceful protests, another simultaneously prepared online to incite violence.

A fake Nepal Police Facebook page was identified as a significant example of technological abuse. Posts on this page falsely claimed police could not use force against students in uniform and urged them to attend protests while wearing school attire, attempting to use students as a "human shield."

Analysis of the facts and circumstances, including AI-generated photos and videos showing Parliament building, Singha Durbar and other public structures being burned or vandalised before the demonstrations, indicates that two groups were involved in preparations, one seeking to organise peaceful protests and another planning destructive activities online

— NHRC Investigation ReportExplaining the commission's findings on the dual nature of protest preparations.

Further misuse included hacking school digital boards and websites to display slogans like "No More Screens, We Are on Streets" and "We Don’t Want Likes, We Want Change" to mobilize students. A TikTok account named "Wake Up Nepal" publicly called for Molotov cocktails to be brought to the demonstrations.

The fake Nepal Police Facebook page appears to have deliberately spread misleading content among protesters and attempted to use students as a ‘human shield’ by encouraging their participation

— NHRC Investigation ReportHighlighting the specific tactics used by a fraudulent social media account.

The commission also questioned the government and security agencies' inaction despite clear online warning signs. "Even after such content had been widely shared on social media, there is no indication that security agencies made efforts to disable those accounts or counter the misinformation," the report stated, reflecting "weak preparedness within the security mechanism."

No More Screens, We Are on Streets

— Hacked School Digital Board SloganOne of the messages displayed on hacked school platforms to encourage student participation in street protests.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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