The Nepalese government has moved to block major social media platforms, including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube, after they failed to comply with a registration requirement. The decision, announced on Thursday, September 4, 2025, follows a government directive aimed at curbing online hate, misinformation, and cybercrime.
Authorities had given companies until Wednesday, September 3, to register with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. The registration process required platforms to provide a local contact, grievance handler, and a person responsible for self-regulation.
“Unregistered social media platforms will be deactivated today onwards,” ministry spokesman Gajendra Kumar Thakur told AFP. Communications and IT Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung added that companies were given enough time but ignored repeated requests.
The directive affects global tech giants including Meta (owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp), Alphabet’s YouTube, X, Reddit, and LinkedIn. As of Thursday morning, the platforms remained accessible, though authorities said the shutdown would begin immediately.
Nepal first introduced the rule in 2023, requiring social media platforms with millions of users in the country to register and establish a local presence. So far, only five, including TikTok and Viber, have complied, with two others in the process.
The move has triggered criticism from digital rights advocates. Bhola Nath Dhungana, president of Digital Rights Nepal, called it a “controlling” approach. “This directly hits the fundamental rights of the public,” he said, adding that legal infrastructure should come before enforcement.
Nepal has previously restricted access to online platforms. Telegram was blocked in July 2025 over fraud concerns, and TikTok endured a nine-month suspension before returning in August 2024 under stricter rules.
The action mirrors global trends as governments tighten oversight of social media. The United States, European Union, Brazil, and Australia are imposing stricter regulations on misinformation and data privacy, while India requires compliance officers and takedown mechanisms. China continues to enforce some of the world’s toughest internet controls.
Nepal’s latest decision highlights the growing tension between digital freedoms and state regulation, with millions of users caught in the middle.
