Nepal has ordered internet service providers to block access to major social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X, after the companies failed to comply with local registration rules — drawing criticism from media rights groups and raising concerns over censorship and free expression.
Nepal’s Ministry of Communication and Information Technology instructed the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) to direct internet service provider to limit access to all 26 social media sites. It was the result of an earlier meeting between officials from the ministry.
Nepalese have a unique culture. internet penetration rate of over 90%According to the Nepal Telecommunications Authority, 87% of social media users in Nepal use Facebook. According to the Nepal Telecommunications Authority, 87% of social media users use Facebook. latest figures Statcounter, a web analytics company, suggests that.
Discord, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, WeChat and Snapchat are all affected. It follows a 25th August directive which only gave seven days for foreign social media firms to register in Nepal, and designate a local contact.
The decision has been criticised by civil society and media groups. The move would “seriously hinder journalists’ work and people’s access to news and information,” said A nonprofit organization in New York, the Committee to Protect Journalists. The Federation of Nepali Journalists condemned the move as well. “undermines press freedom and citizens’ right to information.”
The Supreme Court of Nepal upheld local registration requirements last month. ruling It was to curb misinformation. The court didn’t order that platforms which failed to register be banned, but instead directed officials to “make appropriate legal arrangements immediately, within the framework of the law.”
Notably, TikTok and Russia’s Viber are among the social media apps not affected by the latest order; the government said these platforms have already followed the rules and registered themselves in the country.
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“It is extremely troubling that Nepal has chosen to block access to entire social media and web services simply because they have not registered with the government,” Raman Jit Singh Chima Asia Pacific policy director and Global Cybersecurity leader at Access Now. He compares the approach to “the architecture of censorship seen in the People’s Republic of China’s Great Firewall model of digital authoritarianism — a path wholly at odds with Nepal’s democratic aspirations and constitutional guarantees.”
Prithvi Gurung, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, told reporters the government gave platforms plenty of time to register and made several requests to Meta and other companies, but that they refused to comply.
Meta, Google, and Snap did not respond immediately to comments.
According to a spokesperson, the access would be restored as soon as they registered within the country. public notice This document is issued by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology.
Chima was argued by “Nepal should publish all blocking orders, restore access, and shift to a legislative process that narrows vague prohibitions and builds in due process, transparency and meaningful consultation.”
He said that the directive is not independent of oversight or appeal and does not provide clear guidance. “sweeping powers to suspend services, order removals, and deputise local ‘grievance’ and ‘self-regulation’ officers inside companies.”
“That invites over-blocking and pressure on companies to take down lawful content,” He went on.
Nepalese government announced earlier this year that it would be implementing a new tax system. faced public backlash The proposed bill on social media is yet to be approved. It includes fines and imprisonment for those who post. “deemed against national sovereignty or interest.” This is a proposal “threatens to severely undermine press freedom and digital expression,” International Federation of Journalists.
In response to criticisms of the legislation that was proposed, Minister Gurung stated the government has taken the necessary steps. “no intention of curtailing freedom of expression.”
The bill also allows the government to issue orders to social media platforms that they remove specific posts. Non-compliance could result in fines.
The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology of Nepal did not reply to an inquiry about the blocking decision.
