KATHMANDU, Sept 4: Minister for Communications and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung announced that social media platforms, including Facebook, which ignored government’s repeated requests to register, will be blocked starting today. He said that the companies made “big claims” challenging Nepali law and sovereignty, forcing the government to take this drastic step.
Talking to a group of journalists on Thursday, Gurung said, “When we asked them to register, they made claims as if they would not follow Nepal’s Constitution and laws. After repeatedly ignoring our requests and diplomatic efforts, we decided to block them.”
The government had issued the “Directive to Regulate Use of Social Media, 2080” to implement the Supreme Court’s instructive order. The directive required all social media platforms operating in Nepal to register with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.
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The ministry had issued a public notice giving platforms seven days to complete the registration process. “Those who registered within the deadline can continue operating. Those who did not have already been instructed to be deactivated by the Nepal Telecommunications Authority from today,” he said.
This decision will affect major platforms including Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram and YouTube. Minister Gurung said the primary reasons for non-registration were the companies’ negligence and disregard for Nepalese law.
“There was no registration fee; they only had to appoint a local contact office and a grievance officer in Nepal,” he said, “Even this they refused, which raises questions about their intentions.”
However, the government has left the door open for blocked social media platforms to resume operation if they complete the registration process.
