Nepal has banned all the major social media platforms that people commonly use. The government has told internet service providers to stop people from accessing 26 big social media and communication apps, such as Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, Reddit, WhatsApp, and Snapchat. This decision came after all the companies failed to register with the government within a seven-day period.
The ban on these platforms follows a court order from the Supreme Court in a case about contempt of court. The court told the government to make sure that both local and foreign online platforms register with the proper authorities before they operate in the country and to watch for any inappropriate content.
In a contempt of court case (Case No. 080-8-0012), the Supreme Court gave an order to the Government of Nepal, requiring that both local and foreign social media platforms register with the appropriate authorities before they can start operating, and to check and monitor harmful content.
In line with a decision made by the Government of Nepal (Council of Ministers) on 2082.05.09, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology issued a public notice on 2082.05.12. This notice gave social media platforms a seven-day period to register according to the ‘Directive on Regulating the Use of Social Media, 2080’.
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The notice says that the Nepal Telecommunication Authority has been told to disable social media platforms that haven’t contacted the Ministry for registration within the given time. The platforms will be reactivated once they complete the registration process.
The Supreme Court’s ruling was based on several petitions that were filed since 2020. These petitions were about controlling unlicensed platforms that were showing ads and content in Nepal.
What’s blocked and what’s not
- Blocked: Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, YouTube, X, Reddit, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, Discord, Pinterest, Signal, Threads, WeChat, Quora, Tumblr, Clubhouse, Rumble, Line, Imo, Jalo, Sol, Hamro Patro, Mi Video, Mi Vike3
- Still Operational: TikTok, Viber, Wetalk, Nimbuzz (registered), Telegram and Global Diary (in process)
