Is Hamro Patro a Social Network? Understanding Nepali Law

9th September 2025, Kathmandu

Hamro Patro is a widely used app in Nepal, but is it a social network? Under Nepali law, a platform must enable interactive communication and distribute user-generated content to be classified as a social network. Based on this legal definition, Hamro Patro does not currently fall into this category.

Hamro Patro Social Network

Recently, many Hamro Patro users were surprised to see Hamro Patro included in the government’s new listing. After our name appeared on that list, some users were puzzled, and various rumors and speculations began circulating on social media.

These spreading rumors and confusion have drawn our attention. We are responding to the misleading questions circulating online

When did Hamro Patro start?

Hamro Patro started in 2010 with a simple purpose: to help Nepalis living abroad stay connected to Nepal’s festivals, culture, and important dates. At the time, many relied on physical calendars carried from Nepal, which quickly became outdated. To solve this, our founder and CEO, Shankar Uprety, created Hamro Patro. Over time, what began as a simple idea grew into a platform loved by millions of Nepalis worldwide.

Is Hamro Patro not registered in Nepal?

Hamro Patro has officially been registered in Nepal since 2016 (2073 B.S.) as a product of Smart Ideas Pvt. Ltd., an IT company. For nearly ten years, we have fulfilled all legal obligations required of a responsible organization under the laws of the Government of Nepal. Today, more than 100 employees work at the company, and Hamro Patro has been paying taxes in Nepal.

So, what does this recent “registration” mean?

After the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology included Hamro Patro in its list of social networks, we followed the ministry’s directive and listed ourselves with the ministry as a social media app. However, rumors have spread claiming that Hamro Patro has only just now registered in Nepal-which is not true.

Is Hamro Patro a social network?

Under Nepali law, a “social network” is defined as a platform-such as a group, blog, or app-that enables interactive communication among individuals, groups, or organizations and provides facilities to distribute user-generated content. By this definition, Hamro Patro does not fall under the category of a social network at this time.

Our users, our inspiration

After our name appeared on the government’s list, many of you expressed concerns on social media. At the same time, we also saw an incredible wave of love, trust, and support from our users. We are deeply grateful for this. Your encouragement inspires us every day to do better and continue serving you with dedication.

For more: Hamro Patro Social Network