Nepal has ordered internet and telecom providers to block 26 major social media and OTT platforms—including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube and X—after the companies missed a government deadline to register locally. The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MoCIT) directed the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) to enforce the shutdown beginning the night of September 4, 2025. Officials say access will be restored “the same day” for any platform that completes the process.
The order implements the “Directives for Managing the Use of Social Networks, 2023,” which require platforms to register with MoCIT, obtain a license within three months, renew every three years, and appoint a local representative/grievance officer. A Cabinet decision on August 25 gave companies seven days from August 28 to comply; after the deadline passed on September 3, MoCIT told NTA to block non-compliant services. NTA’s initial block list names 26 platforms including Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, X, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Reddit, Discord, Pinterest, Signal, Threads, WeChat, Quora, Tumblr, Clubhouse, Rumble, Line, IMO, Zalo, and others. A handful of services remain accessible because they have registered or are in process—TikTok and Viber are listed; Telegram and Global Diary have applied. A MoCIT public notice (in Nepali) underpins the enforcement timeline.
Access became patchy within hours as operators implemented blocks in stages. Users reported Instagram and other apps going dark first; many shifted conversations to Viber and resumed posting on TikTok, spiking traffic on those apps, according to industry sources. Journalists and media workers rallied at Maitighar on September 7, carrying placards against the shutdown and warning it undermines freedom of expression. The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) and 22 civil groups formally objected to the decision. International digital-rights advocates called the blanket block “extremely troubling,” comparing it to broader censorship models; CPJ and Access Now urged reversal and transparency.
Officials argue the move enforces a recent Supreme Court directive to list and regulate foreign platforms operating in Nepal so “unwanted content” can be monitored. MoCIT spokesperson Gajendra Kumar Thakur said all unregistered platforms would be deactivated, adding that any platform that registers will be reopened immediately. The decision was finalized at a meeting chaired by Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung with NTA, telecoms and ISP
Within 24 hours of the ban, Hamro Patro formally applied to register; X (formerly Twitter) emailed MoCIT seeking the required document list. As of Friday afternoon after the order, officials said there had been no formal correspondence from Meta beyond informal outreach.
MoCIT’s list confirms TikTok and Viber have registered and remain accessible; Telegram and Global Diary have applications pending. The ministry says any platform that completes registration will be re-enabled.
Officials say the blocks are reversible on compliance, but civil society groups are pressing for a policy review rather than enforcement via shutdowns. The debate now shifts to Parliament’s pending Social Media Bill 2081 and to whether global platforms will appoint local representatives and register under the 2023 rules.
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