The government of Nepal has blocked access to 26 major social media platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube, Instagram, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, and Snapchat, after the companies failed to meet a seven-day registration deadline set by authorities.
Supreme Court Order Behind Ban
The move follows a Supreme Court directive issued in connection with a contempt of court case, which required the government to ensure both domestic and foreign online platforms register with Nepal’s authorities before operating in the country.
In an official notice, Nepal’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology stated:
“The Supreme Court, in Case No. 080-8-0012, directed the government to list all online platforms and evaluate their content. Platforms that fail to register within the seven-day deadline will be deactivated, but can be reactivated once registration is complete.”
New Regulations for Platforms
Under the Directive on Regulating the Use of Social Media, 2080, platforms must:
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Register with the Ministry of Communications
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Appoint a local contact person and compliance officer
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Establish a system to handle local complaints
The directive is a response to petitions filed since 2020, raising concerns about unregulated online platforms broadcasting ads and content in Nepal without oversight.
Which Platforms Are Banned?
The ban covers global giants like Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, LinkedIn, X (Twitter), Reddit, Discord, Threads, Signal, LINE, WeChat, Pinterest, Clubhouse, Tumblr, Rumble, Quora, IMO, Jalo, Hamro Patro, and Mi Video.
Meanwhile, platforms such as TikTok, Viber, WeTalk, Nimbuzz, Telegram, and Global Diary remain operational, though some are still in the process of completing registration.
Government’s Justification vs. Criticism
Communications Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung defended the government’s decision, saying:
“Platforms were repeatedly asked to register, but they ignored the requests. Once companies complete the registration process, their services will be restored.”
However, digital rights groups and critics have slammed the move as overbroad censorship. Organizations such as the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Access Now warned that the ban could restrict freedom of expression and called for transparency and speedy restoration of access.
The Impact
Nepal’s unprecedented ban on 26 platforms has created a digital blackout for millions of users, disrupting communication, business, and media consumption. The standoff highlights the growing global debate over how far governments can go in regulating tech giants — and whether such measures protect sovereignty or undermine democratic freedoms.