Fiscal Nepal
First Business News Portal in English from Nepal
KATHMANDU: Popular Nepali platform Hamro Patro has formally submitted documents to initiate the registration process with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MoCIT). The ministry confirmed that the process has been set in motion amid the government’s recent ban on unregistered social media platforms.
MoCIT spokesperson Gajendra Kumar Thakur said the ministry has advanced the process for Hamro Patro’s formal registration. He added that X, formerly known as Twitter, has also expressed keen interest in complying with Nepal’s laws.
“X has emailed us asking what documents are required for the registration process. We have replied with the necessary list,” Thakur told Onlinekhabar. He confirmed that the ministry has been in direct communication with the global platform.
According to Thakur, X sent an email on Friday requesting details about the legal documents necessary for its operation in Nepal. In response, the ministry has provided the documentation checklist. This marks the first formal communication between the government of Nepal and X regarding compliance since the ban on unregistered social media networks was announced.
The government recently decided to restrict 26 social media applications, including Facebook and Messenger, citing the absence of local registration and accountability mechanisms. Following the decision, intense debates have emerged across the country, with critics arguing the ban impacts internet freedom and innovation, while supporters emphasize the need for regulation and digital sovereignty.
Industry insiders say the decision is reshaping Nepal’s digital ecosystem, forcing both local and global platforms to comply with Nepali law if they wish to operate. For Hamro Patro, a homegrown app widely used for calendars, news, and services, the registration move is seen as a significant step in aligning with government regulations.
Meanwhile, the possible entry of X into Nepal’s formal system could set a precedent for other international social media companies. Experts suggest that if X completes registration, it could pressure other tech giants such as Meta, Linkedin and Telegram to follow suit, fundamentally changing how foreign digital platforms operate in Nepal.
The MoCIT has maintained that the registration rule is not meant to discourage digital platforms but to ensure user accountability, content regulation, and proper taxation. However, internet service providers (ISPs), digital entrepreneurs, and civil society have expressed concerns that such decisions could negatively affect Nepal’s startup ecosystem, restrict digital expression, and push users toward VPN-based access—posing cybersecurity risks.
With Hamro Patro already submitting its documents and X formally initiating communication, the next few weeks are expected to be decisive for Nepal’s digital regulation landscape.
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