Government Initiates Shutdown of Unregistered Social Media Platforms in Nepal
4th August 2025, Kathmandu
The digital landscape in Nepal is undergoing a major shift as the government has initiated a shutdown of all social media platforms that have not registered with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology.
Nepal Social Media Ban
Effective immediately, popular platforms including Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) are on the chopping block, with the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) tasked with implementing the ban.
The decision was finalized during a high-level meeting at the ministry, chaired by Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung. This move is the culmination of a regulatory push that began with the approval of the Social Media Management Directive 2080 (2023).
This directive, a response to the growing misuse and negative impact of social media, requires all platforms operating in Nepal to register, obtain a permit, and renew it every three years.
“Unregistered social media platforms will be shut down gradually starting today,” Minister Gurung told reporters, emphasizing that only those platforms that comply with the registration process will be allowed to operate within the country’s borders.
The directive had initially given a three-month grace period for platforms to comply, and after a lack of response, the Cabinet, on Bhadra 9, 2082 (August 25, 2025), issued a final one-week deadline.
The government’s persistent calls for compliance, which included a public notice issued on Bhadra 12 (August 28, 2025), went largely unheeded by the global tech giants.
According to ministry officials, the deadline expired on Wednesday night without a single formal application from platforms like Facebook, YouTube, or LinkedIn. This non-compliance has now triggered the government’s enforcement action, which had been authorized by the directive from the outset.
The Social Media Management Directive is not just about registration; it is a comprehensive framework for digital accountability. The directive also mandates the formation of a “Social Media Management Unit” within the Ministry to oversee the entire process, including registration, licensing, and handling of grievances.
This unit is intended to serve as a key point of contact for platforms and the public, ensuring that content and conduct on these platforms adhere to Nepali laws. The directive also gives the government the authority to shut down unregistered platforms at any time, a power it is now exercising.
The list of platforms that have successfully completed the registration process is notably short. So far, only five platforms—TikTok, Viber, Nimbuzz, WeTalk, and Opolive—have been registered, demonstrating their commitment to operating within Nepal’s legal framework.
Additionally, two other platforms, Telegram and Global Link, are currently in the process of registering, and as such, will be spared from the ban. The vast majority of other social media platforms, including the most widely used ones, now face an uncertain future in the Nepali market.
This landmark decision comes at a critical time, highlighting the government’s determination to regulate the digital space and hold foreign tech companies accountable.
The move to shut down these platforms is unprecedented in Nepal and signals a strong commitment to national policy and digital sovereignty.
While the decision is expected to have a significant impact on communication, commerce, and public life, the government maintains that the regulation is essential to curb harmful content, misinformation, and misuse of social media platforms.
The government’s actions also draw a parallel to the previous attempt to regulate social media under a different administration. Under then-Minister Rekha Sharma, the groundwork for the directive was laid to bring sanity and order to the digital sphere. The current administration is simply following through on this approved policy.
As the NTA begins the technical process of blocking access to the unregistered platforms, the public will be watching closely to see how this dramatic development reshapes Nepal’s digital landscape and whether the tech giants will eventually choose to comply.
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