Kathmandu: The Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM) has launched Prime Minister Sushila Karki’s verified social media presence, a move widely welcomed for promoting digital governance and transparency. However, the announcement has quickly drawn criticism from cybersecurity and IT experts over the continued use of a public Gmail address for official government communication.

In a statement signed by Joint Secretary and Spokesperson Rabilal Sharma, the OPMCM confirmed the official accounts as:

1. X (Twitter): @pmsushilakarki
2. Facebook: PM Sushila Karki (Email reference: [email protected])
3. Instagram: pm.sushila.karki (Email reference: [email protected])
4. Cybersecurity Experts Flag Critical Flaw: The Gmail Risk

While the digital outreach initiative marks progress in transparency, experts argue that using a free, third-party Gmail account ([email protected]) represents a serious cybersecurity vulnerability and a professional lapse in digital governance.

Cybersecurity specialists warn that such practices expose the Prime Minister’s Office and the government to multiple risks, including:

• Data Vulnerabilities: Sensitive government correspondence is hosted on non-governmental servers.
• Impersonation and Phishing Threats: A public email address increases susceptibility to spoofing and cyber fraud.
• Erosion of Credibility: The use of non-official channels undermines the authenticity and professionalism of executive communications.

Policy Breach and Governance Concerns

The issue has reignited debate over the government’s failure to enforce its own Government Email Policy, which mandates that all senior officials and institutions use official domain-based email addresses (e.g., @opmcm.gov.np).

“The presence of a Gmail address in the Prime Minister’s official communication sets a very poor precedent for other government institutions,” remarked a leading cybersecurity expert.

Supporting this view, Chiranjibi Adhikari, Senior Vice President of the Federation of Computer Association Nepal (CAN Federation), stated: “Transparency through social media is commendable, but credibility and cybersecurity depend on secure, official digital identities. The government must transition from Gmail to official domain-based emails to reflect best practices in governance, accountability, and digital trust.”

The Way Forward: Urgent Policy Compliance

While the initiative signals a step towards modern, digitally engaged leadership, experts are urging the Government of Nepal and the Department of Information Technology (DoIT) to immediately enforce the existing email policy.

For a nation striving toward digital governance, the use of a secure, government-controlled domain is not just a technical upgrade but a fundamental requirement for safeguarding state data and maintaining public trust.

About the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM)

The OPMCM serves as the principal administrative and executive body of the Government of Nepal, responsible for coordinating national policies, managing state affairs, and ensuring effective governance across ministries.

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