Nepal Moves to Block Major Social Media Platforms Over Registration Dispute

Nepal Moves to Block Major Social Media Platforms Over Registration Dispute
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Nepal announced Thursday that it would begin blocking access to several major social media platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn, after they failed to register with authorities by a set deadline—DW reported.

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology had required platforms to register by Wednesday, appointing a local contact, grievance officer, and person responsible for content regulation. The move is part of a broader government effort to curb fake accounts, cybercrime, and the spread of misinformation online.

According to ministry officials, only five platforms—TikTok, Viber, WeTalk, Nimbuzz, and Poppo Live—registered on time. Two others are reportedly in the process of compliance. In total, 26 platforms now face access restrictions.

Despite the order, many users in Nepal—where internet penetration is around 90%—reported continued access to some targeted sites. Prominent pages such as Everest Today warned of upcoming disruptions.

The directive, first issued in 2023 and upheld by the Supreme Court in 2024, has drawn criticism from rights groups. Bholanath Dhungana, president of Digital Rights Nepal, argued that while regulation is necessary, sudden restrictions without robust legal infrastructure threaten civil liberties and set a concerning precedent for digital freedom in the country.