Nepal Bans 26 Unregistered Social Media Platforms to Enforce Digital Accountability.
International
On September 4, 2025, the Government of Nepal, under Communications Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung, ordered the blockade of 26 social media platforms that failed to register with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology and establish local liaison offices. This decisive action aims to strengthen regulation while raising concerns over free expression.
- Nepali officials, following a Supreme Court directive and a Council of Ministers decision from August 25, instructed the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) to deactivate access to platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X, among others.
- Compliance requirements included designating local contacts, grievance redressal personnel, and self-regulation frameworks. Platforms that complied, like TikTok, Viber, WeTalk, Nimbuzz, and Poppo Live, were exempt from the ban.
- As the deactivation has begun, telecom operators and Internet Service Providers report inconsistencies in service disruption, with some platforms inaccessible in certain regions. The Internet Service Providers Association of Nepal (ISPAN), guided by technical directives, is managing the multi-day shutdown process.
Main Point :- (i) The decision has faced notable backlash. Civil society groups, media, and political parties—including both ruling coalition members and opposition figures—have voiced concerns over potential overreach. Critics argue the ban undermines digital freedoms, impacts e-commerce, and restricts communication, especially for Nepalis abroad.
(ii) The government maintains that the bans are temporary and platforms can resume services once they register and comply with local regulations. Minister Gurung emphasized that registering and complying would lead to immediate reinstatement.
(iii) A meeting involving Minister Gurung, officials from the ministry, NTA, telecom operators, and ISPs confirmed that the platforms had ignored multiple registration notices. The move, they argue, is essential for enhancing content accountability, curbing fake identities, and countering the spread of misinformation in Nepal’s rapidly digitalizing society.
About Nepal
Capital: Kathmandu
Currency: Nepalese Rupee
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