Fiscal Nepal
First Business News Portal in English from Nepal
KATHMANDU: The government has issued a public call to all social media platforms operating in Nepal to complete mandatory registration with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MoCIT) within seven days, warning that failure to comply will result in gradual deactivation of their services inside the country.
The decision was endorsed by the Council of Ministers on Monday and announced by government spokesperson and Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, during a press briefing. Gurung said platforms that do not register or fail to establish contact within the deadline will face phased restrictions and eventual shutdown in Nepal.
“If any platform proceeds with registration, it will be reactivated immediately through a directive from the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology to the Nepal Telecommunications Authority,” Minister Gurung clarified.
The decision follows the Social Media Management Directive 2080 and a ruling from the Supreme Court of Nepal, which require social media operators to be accountable and responsible for content distribution, user protection, and transparency of operations in the country.
According to the official statement, the government has set out two key measures:
Mandatory Registration: All social media operators must register with MoCIT within seven days, making them legally accountable under Nepali law.
Enforcement Mechanism: Platforms failing to comply will be deactivated in phases, while those completing registration will be reactivated instantly through coordination with NTA.
The government argues that this policy is necessary to bring social media companies under regulatory oversight, prevent misuse, and strengthen accountability. However, the move also raises concerns about potential restrictions on digital freedoms, as popular global platforms such as Facebook, X (Twitter), whatsapp, Instagram, and Google, YouTube will be compelled to comply or risk being blocked in Nepal.
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