Nepal bans unregistered social media platforms: Which apps will work and which are blocked? (Full List)

KATHMANDU: The Government of Nepal has taken a sweeping step to regulate the country’s digital space, announcing that all unregistered social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, and Twitter (X), will be banned effective immediately.

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MoCIT), following a meeting chaired by Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung on Thursday, confirmed that only a handful of platforms that have already completed the mandatory registration process will continue to operate.

According to the ministry, TikTok, Viber, Nimbuz, WeTalk, and Popo Live are the only five platforms that have been successfully registered so far. These services will remain fully operational in Nepal. Two other platforms—Telegram and Global Link—are currently in the process of registration, signaling they could remain available if formalities are completed.

The decision comes after the Council of Ministers meeting on August 25, 2025 (2082 Bhadra 9) instructed all social media platforms active in Nepal to register within a week. The deadline expired last night, and with most major platforms ignoring the directive, the government has moved ahead with a blanket ban on unregistered services.

Officials confirmed that the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has been tasked with implementing the ban nationwide. Platforms that later register will be allowed to resume operations, but until then, users in Nepal will lose access.

✅ Platforms Allowed in Nepal (Registered)

TikTok

Viber

Nimbuz

WeTalk

Popo Live

❌ Platforms Banned in Nepal (Unregistered)

Facebook

Messenger

Instagram

YouTube

WhatsApp

Twitter (X)

LinkedIn

Snapchat

Reddit

Discord

Pinterest

Signal

Threads

WeChat

Quora

Tumblr

Clubhouse

Mastodon

Rumble

MeWe

VK (VKontakte)

Line

IMO

Zalo

Soul

Hamro Patro

Government’s Rationale and Legal Backing

The ministry stated that the move follows a Supreme Court directive instructing the government to ensure transparency, accountability, and compliance from digital service providers. According to an official at the ministry: “Any platform found operating without registration will be subject to the same restrictions. This policy will be enforced continuously.”

The government has emphasized that the ban is not permanent; platforms that complete the registration process in Nepal will be reactivated.

Impact on Nepal’s Digital Ecosystem

The ban is expected to have massive implications for millions of users and businesses in Nepal. With Facebook counting over 17 million users in the country, Instagram around 4.6 million, and WhatsApp adopted by the vast majority of smartphone users, the immediate blocking of these platforms could disrupt personal communications, online businesses, e-commerce, digital advertising, and international connectivity.

YouTube, which is one of the most widely used video-sharing platforms in Nepal, will also be restricted, raising concerns about impacts on creators, influencers, and media outlets who depend on the platform for income and outreach.

International Context

Nepal’s decision echoes similar moves by countries such as India, Indonesia, and China, where governments have sought to regulate or restrict platforms failing to comply with domestic laws. Globally, the debate around digital sovereignty, data privacy, taxation, and content regulation is intensifying, with governments pressuring global tech giants to establish local offices, register legally, and adhere to national compliance frameworks.

What’s Next?

Technical Enforcement: NTA will block access to unregistered platforms through ISPs and telecom providers across Nepal.

Platform Responses: It remains to be seen if Meta (parent company of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp), Google (YouTube), X Corp. (Twitter/X), and others will comply with Nepal’s registration requirements.

Public Backlash: With nearly half of Nepal’s population active on social platforms, the ban is likely to trigger widespread criticism from citizens, entrepreneurs, and the Nepali diaspora.

Diplomatic Angle: The move may also attract attention from international rights groups, investors, and governments concerned about freedom of expression and the digital economy in Nepal.

Nepal’s ban on unregistered social media platforms has set a precedent in South Asia, where governments are increasingly asserting control over the digital space. The coming days will reveal whether tech giants comply with Nepal’s laws or risk losing one of South Asia’s fastest-growing online markets.