Kathmandu, April 19 — The Nepal government is preparing to impose a nationwide ban on major social media platforms including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp, and Instagram for failing to register in accordance with local laws, officials confirmed on Saturday.
Social Media Giants Defy Nepal’s Registration Mandate
Despite repeated requests and extensions by the Nepalese authorities, major social networking platforms have declined to register with the Ministry of Communication and Information TECHNOLOGY. According to Nepal’s legal requirements, all international digital platforms operating in the country must register to ensure compliance with national regulations and safeguard users’ rights.
Prithvi Subba Gurung, Nepal’s Minister for Communication and Information Technology and the official government spokesperson, said in a public event in Kathmandu that the deadline given to social media companies to complete the registration process had expired on April 19.
“We gave an initial three-month notice, followed by a one-month extension. Yet, companies like Facebook, X, WhatsApp, and Instagram have shown no interest in complying with our laws,” Gurung stated. “Therefore, we will proceed with banning these platforms starting Sunday.”
Government Plans Legal Action Against Non-Compliant Platforms
The minister further clarified that banning non-compliant platforms is a necessary step to uphold Nepal’s sovereignty, legal framework, and digital governance. The decision, if implemented, will directly impact millions of Nepali users of these platforms.
So far, only a handful of platforms such as YouTube, Viber, WeChat, and TikTok have complied with the Nepal government’s directive by completing their registration.
Meanwhile, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has reportedly refused to even hold a virtual meeting with Nepalese officials, aggravating tensions between the two sides.
Digital Sovereignty vs Global Tech Giants
The looming ban could have wide-reaching consequences on communication, business, and digital marketing within Nepal. However, the Nepalese government argues that without accountability and local registration, the rights and safety of Nepali users remain unprotected.
The proposed ban aligns with growing global concerns over big tech’s compliance with national laws and the responsibilities of social media platforms in monitoring harmful content, fake news, and data privacy violations.
A final decision on the matter is expected on Sunday, April 21, with formal directives anticipated from Nepal’s Ministry of Communication and Information Technology.
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