The Nepal government imposed an immediate ban on major social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, and LinkedIn, for failing to register with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology by the stipulated deadline.
The decision, finalized during a meeting chaired by Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung, follows a seven-day ultimatum issued on August 28, 2025, mandating compliance with the Social Media Operation Guidelines, 2080 (2023), as reinforced by a Supreme Court order. The ban, effective from midnight on September 4, directs the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) to deactivate unregistered platforms, with reactivation possible upon compliance.
Only TikTok, Viber, Witk, Nimbuzz, and Popo Live are currently registered, while Telegram and Global Diary await approval. Ministry spokesperson Gajendra Kumar Thakur stated, “Except for the five listed platforms and two in the process, all others will be deactivated within Nepal.” The move has sparked significant concern, as platforms like Facebook (with 14.3–17.3 million users) and WhatsApp (used by over 90% of smartphone users) are integral to communication, business, and content monetization in Nepal, recently enabled for platforms like Facebook.
The ban is expected to disrupt the lives of over seven million Nepalese abroad, who rely on these platforms to connect with family and friends, according to senior journalist Pralhad Rijal. The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) condemned the decision, with General Secretary Ram Prasad Dahal arguing it violates constitutional rights to information, expression, and press freedom, demanding its immediate withdrawal.
Critics, including free speech advocates, view the ban as an attempt to curb dissent, citing stringent registration conditions like mandatory content takedowns and local oversight as reasons for non-compliance by tech giants like Meta and Alphabet. The unprecedented move, affecting Nepal’s digital ecosystem and economy, raises questions about digital sovereignty and global tech compliance.
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