Nepal announces a nationwide block on unregistered social media sites like Facebook and YouTube, enforcing new digital registration laws.
KATHMANDU: The Government of Nepal has issued a directive to block all unregistered social media platforms operating in the country, following an official announcement on Thursday by Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung.
This move comes after a high-level meeting involving officials from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MoCIT), the Nepal Telecommunications Authority, telecom operators, and internet service providers. The Nepal Telecommunications Authority has been instructed to immediately disable access to platforms that failed to comply with local registration requirements.
As per the directive issued on August 28, both domestic and international social media companies were given a seven-day deadline to register with the ministry. The policy mandates that platforms must maintain a liaison office in Nepal and appoint an in-country contact person to ensure adherence to the Directive for Regulation of Social Media Use, 2080.
The decision aligns with a Supreme Court ruling in a contempt case, which ordered the government to ensure no social media service operates in Nepal without formal registration. Following this, the Cabinet formally approved the registration mandate on August 25.
As a result, 26 widely used platforms — including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, Viber, and Botim — face immediate suspension. Only a few platforms, such as TikTok, Viber, and three others, will remain accessible as they have completed their registration. TikTok was notably reinstated in November 2024 after fulfilling regulatory obligations, having previously been banned in August 2024. Similarly, Telegram was banned in July 2025 due to concerns over online fraud and money laundering.
Social media is a vital link for millions of Nepalis, especially those with family members working overseas. Platforms like WhatsApp, Viber, and Botim are widely used for daily communication with migrant workers. According to 2024 World Bank data, personal remittances accounted for 33.06% of Nepal’s GDP, underlining the critical role of cross-border digital communication.
Minister Gurung stated that despite repeated notifications, most platforms had failed to comply. A new bill has also been tabled in Parliament to formalise digital regulation, ensuring platforms are accountable, locally managed, and in full compliance with national standards.
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