Nepal Government Bans 26 Social Media Platforms for Non-Compliance
Nepal Bans Facebook, X, YouTube, 23 Other Social Media Platforms: The Government of Nepal has banned 26 social media platforms, including major ones like Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Reddit, WhatsApp, and LinkedIn, after they failed to register with the Ministry of Information and Technology within the given 7-day deadline, which ended on Wednesday night (September 4, 2025). The ministry had issued a directive on August 28, requiring all domestic and foreign platforms to register and comply with national content regulations following a Supreme Court order regarding monitoring of harmful content.
While platforms like TikTok, Viber, Vtalk, and Nibanj have already registered, others, including Meta and Alphabet-owned services, have not initiated the process. As a result, the Nepal Telecommunication Authority has been instructed to immediately deactivate unregistered platforms from Thursday midnight. However, the government has clarified that services can resume immediately upon registration, and several platforms like Telegram and Global Diary are currently in the process of registering.
These major platforms were shut down
So far, platforms like TikTok, Vtalk, Viber, and Nibanj have been registered in Nepal. Telegram and Global Diary are in the process, but no major platform, including Meta (parent company of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp), Alphabet (YouTube), X, Reddit or LinkedIn, has yet applied. According to Nepali officials, services can resume after the platforms complete the registration process and follow national rules.
The ministry notice said, ‘The Hon’ble Supreme Court has issued a directional order to the Government of Nepal in a case of contempt of court, directing online and social media platforms of domestic or foreign origin to mandatorily list with the relevant authorities before operating and to evaluate and monitor unwanted content.’
It will start as soon as you register
The notice further states that, as per the order, all social media platforms have been given a deadline of 7 days to get listed. The Nepal Telecommunication Authority has been directed to deactivate those social media platforms within Nepal that have not approached the ministry to get listed within the given deadline. The ministry has directed the platforms to be shut down from Thursday midnight. Spokesperson Gajendra Kumar Thakur said that any platform that completes the registration will be taken down on the same day.
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