Nepal has blocked access to more than two dozen social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Reddit and LinkedIn, after they failed to meet mandatory registration requirements. Authorities have said the move is aimed at curbing online hate, rumours and cybercrime.
As per media reports, companies were asked to register with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, provide a local contact, appoint a grievance handler and designate a self-regulation officer by Wednesday’s deadline. Only five platforms, including TikTok and Viber, have complied so far, while two others are in the process.
According to officials, unregistered platforms are being deactivated with immediate effect. Communications and IT Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung has said that despite repeated reminders, companies ignored the rules, leaving the government no option but to act.
Digital rights advocates have criticised the move, saying it undermines fundamental freedoms. They argue that while regulation is necessary, the absence of adequate legal infrastructure makes such abrupt closures a heavy-handed approach.
Nepal has a history of online restrictions. Telegram was blocked in July over fraud concerns, while a nine-month ban on TikTok was lifted last year after the platform’s South Asia division agreed to comply with Nepali regulations.
Globally, governments from the US to Australia have tightened oversight of social media over concerns about misinformation, data security and online harm. India mandates local grievance officers and takedown mechanisms, while China enforces strict licensing controls.
In India, TikTok has remained banned since 2020. In August 2025, brief accessibility of its website sparked speculation of a comeback, but government officials clarified that no order had been issued to lift the ban. The company has also confirmed it continues to comply with India’s directive.
