Fiscal Nepal
First Business News Portal in English from Nepal
KATHMANDU: The Government of Nepal has moved forward with its controversial decision to restrict operations of 26 unregistered social media and messaging apps, with internet service providers (ISPs) beginning full implementation from Friday.
The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology had earlier instructed the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) to ensure compliance, stating that platforms failing to register in Nepal would no longer be allowed to operate. Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, and several other widely used apps have now stopped functioning on major networks, including Nepal Telecom and Ncell.
On Thursday afternoon, users first experienced slowdowns on Facebook and Messenger across Nepal Telecom’s internet and mobile data services. Ncell later issued a notice confirming that the blocked social media platforms would no longer be accessible.
WorldLink, Nepal’s largest private ISP, also confirmed late Thursday night that Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram had gone offline for its users. However, YouTube and WhatsApp, which are also included in the restriction list, were still operational as of Friday morning. ISPs said the technical process of disabling all restricted apps could take some time but assured full compliance with the government’s directive.
The Internet Service Providers’ Association of Nepal (ISPAN) has stated that the government’s decision will be fully enforced nationwide by Friday evening. The association clarified that technical reasons had initially delayed the complete shutdown of the targeted apps.
The Ministry argues that unregistered platforms pose regulatory and security challenges, and has pressed operators to comply with Nepal’s legal framework. Following the ministry’s order, the NTA issued a formal directive to ISPs, mandating immediate action.
The restriction has raised concerns among businesses, digital entrepreneurs, and everyday users in Nepal, where social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram dominate online traffic. According to industry estimates, Nepal’s total international internet traffic stands at around 2 Tbps, with social media alone accounting for nearly 10 Tbps, underscoring the scale of the impact on ISPs and consumer behavior.
With users increasingly turning to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to bypass restrictions, ISPs warn of potential risks to user experience, data privacy, and overall internet quality.
Industry insiders also highlight the potential economic fallout, including reduced digital advertising revenues, disruption to online commerce, and reputational damage for Nepal’s business and investment climate.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Comment *
Name *
Email *
Website
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
