KATHMANDU, September 4:The Government of Nepal has announced a sweeping crackdown on social media platforms operating in the country without registration. Following a Supreme Court directive and the expiration of a seven-day registration deadline, 26 major platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter (X), WhatsApp, and LinkedIn, now face a nationwide ban.
The decision was finalized on Thursday during a meeting led by Communications and Information Technology Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung with ministry officials, telecom operators, and the Nepal Telecommunication Authority. Officials confirmed that all unregistered platforms will be restricted immediately.
Supreme Court Mandate Sparks Crackdown
The move follows a mandamus order from the Supreme Court of Nepal (Case No. 080-8-0012), which directed the government to regulate online platforms, ensure accountability, and prevent unlicensed broadcasting of advertisements and content.
The court consolidated multiple writ petitions filed as far back as 2020, seeking tighter oversight on social media, OTT platforms, and internet browsers operating in Nepal without legal authorization.
Registration Deadline Ignored by Big Tech
The government had issued a public notice on August 26, giving all domestic and foreign social media operators seven days to register with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.
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Viber, TikTok, Wetalk, and Nimbuzz have completed registration.
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Telegram and Global Diary are currently in the process.
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Major platforms like Meta (Facebook, Instagram, Messenger), YouTube, Twitter (X), LinkedIn, Snapchat, WhatsApp, Reddit, and others have not applied despite repeated government warnings.
Communications Minister Gurung told lawmakers on August 19 that Meta had refused to comply with Nepal’s laws and constitution despite repeated requests.
Operational Requirements for Platforms
Under Nepal’s Directive on Regulating the Use of Social Media, 2080, all platforms must:
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Register with the ministry.
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Designate official contact points in Nepal.
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Appoint officers for local complaint handling.
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Assign compliance monitoring personnel.
Unregistered platforms will be blocked nationwide until registration is completed. Once they comply, access will be restored immediately, the ministry confirmed.
Court’s Timeline and Legal Context
The Supreme Court ruling came nearly five years after petitions were filed by advocates B.P. Gautam, Anita Bajgain, and Manoj Gurung of the Nepal Cable Television Federation, demanding restrictions on unlicensed platforms and foreign advertisements.
The joint bench of Justices Tek Prasad Dhungana and Shanti Singh Thapa ruled in favor of the petitioners, ordering the government to ensure compliance from both domestic and foreign operators.