Nepal has banned 26 major social media platforms, including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, Reddit, and Snapchat. The ban was enforced after these platforms failed to register with the government by a seven-day deadline.
Legal Trigger:
The move follows a Supreme Court directive in a contempt case (No. 080-8-0012), which ordered the government to ensure all domestic and foreign-origin platforms are registered before operating in Nepal. The goal: to monitor unwanted content and enforce accountability.
Immediate Enforcement:
The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology instructed the Nepal Telecommunication Authority to block access to all non-compliant platforms. The ban is nationwide and will remain until registration is completed.
Who’s Still Online:
Only a handful of platforms—TikTok, Viber, Wetalk, Nimbuzz—are currently registered and allowed to operate. Telegram and Global Diary are in the process of approval.
Public Backlash:
Critics argue the ban threatens freedom of expression and access to information, especially for millions of Nepalis abroad who rely on these apps to communicate with family. The Federation of Nepalese Journalists has demanded an immediate reversal of the decision.
(source timesofindia.indiatimes)
—Agencies
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