Nepal Announces Ban on Facebook, X, and Other Social Media Platforms

The Nepal government has banned popular social media platforms, including Facebook and X (formerly Twitter), for failing to comply with mandatory registration requirements aimed at curbing misuse. The announcement was made on Thursday, September 4, 2025, after the deadline for registration expired.

According to the Nepalese government, these platforms have been used to spread hate, rumors, and fake identities, leading to cybercrimes and disruption of social harmony. With approximately 90% of Nepal’s 30 million population using the internet, the government had mandated social media companies to register with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology by Wednesday.

The registration required companies to provide details of a local representative, a grievance redressal officer, and a responsible person for the company. The government had previously warned that non-compliant platforms would have their services blocked. On Thursday, a government notice directed the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) to restrict access to unregistered platforms, though specific platforms targeted were not explicitly listed. A communications ministry official told Reuters that platforms like TikTok, Viber, WeChat, Nimbuzz, and Popo Live have already registered, while Facebook and others have not complied.

Nepal’s Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, stated, “We gave them sufficient time and repeatedly requested registration. However, they ignored our requests, which is why their services have been shut down in Nepal.” Meta, the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, has not commented on the issue.

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