Nepal Issues 7-Day Ultimatum: Register Social Media Platforms or Face Restrictions
27th August 2025, Kathmandu
The Government of Nepal has initiated a major move to regulate the country’s digital landscape, issuing a seven-day ultimatum to all social media platforms to register with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.
Social Media Registration Nepal
The decision, announced following a cabinet meeting, marks a significant step towards holding platforms accountable for their operations within Nepal.
Why the Push for Registration?
This is not the first time the government has signaled its intent to regulate social media. However, the new seven-day deadline indicates a more serious and immediate approach. According to Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung, the registration is aimed at ensuring social media companies are “more responsible and accountable” to Nepali laws and citizens.
The push for registration is part of a broader regulatory framework, which has been in development for some time, including the “Social Media Operation Guidelines-2023.” The government’s goal is to address a range of issues, including:
Accountability for Misinformation and Fake News: By requiring platforms to register, the government can establish official contact points to address the spread of harmful content.
Tackling Cybercrime: The Nepal Police Cyber Bureau has highlighted difficulties in investigating cybercrimes without a formal point of contact with these platforms. Registration is seen as a way to streamline cooperation and data access.
Revenue and Taxation: The government’s new digital tax laws require foreign companies to register and pay taxes on their digital services. Registration provides a clear pathway for compliance.
Enforcing Nepali Law: The regulation aims to ensure that content hosted and shared on these platforms aligns with the country’s legal and cultural values, preventing misuse like cyberbullying, hate speech, and content that could harm social harmony.
What Happens if Platforms Don’t Comply?
Minister Gurung has made it clear: “If the platforms fail to register or even establish contact within the given period, they will gradually be deactivated inside Nepal.” This means that popular platforms failing to comply could face a ban or service restrictions for their millions of Nepali users.
While some major platforms have yet to register, companies like TikTok and Viber have already completed the process, demonstrating that compliance is possible. This new directive puts platforms like Meta (Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) and X (formerly Twitter) on notice to act swiftly.
What’s Next?
The coming week will be a crucial period for both the Government of Nepal and the social media giants operating in the country. The ultimatum is a clear signal that the government is serious about enforcing its digital laws. As the deadline approaches, the global tech community and Nepali users will be watching closely to see how these companies respond to the new regulations and whether they will comply to continue operating in the country.
For more: social media registration nepal
