Nepal Blocks Major Social Media Platforms Over Registration Dispute,Sparking Censorship Concerns
Nepal has ordered internet service providers to block access to a wide range of popular social media platforms – including Facebook,Instagram,YouTube,and X – following their failure to comply with newly implemented local registration requirements. The move, enacted on Thursday, has drawn swift condemnation from media rights groups who warn of a important threat to freedom of expression and access to data in the Himalayan nation.
Nepal’s Ministry of Dialog and information Technology directed the Nepal Telecommunications Authority to restrict access to 26 platforms in total, following a meeting of ministry officials. The directive stems from an August 25 order that mandated foreign social media companies register their operations within Nepal and designate a local contact person within just seven days.
With an internet penetration rate exceeding 90%, according to data from the Nepal Telecommunications Authority, social media plays a crucial role in the daily lives of Nepali citizens.Recent figures from web analytics firm Statcounter indicate that Facebook dominates the landscape, with 87% of social media users active on the platform, followed by X (formerly Twitter) at 6% and YouTube at 5%. The affected platforms also include Discord, Messenger, WeChat, Reddit, and Snapchat.
The decision has ignited a firestorm of criticism from organizations dedicated to protecting press freedom. “This decision would seriously hinder journalists’ work and people’s access to news and information,” stated a representative from the Committee to Protect Journalists,a New York-based nonprofit. The Federation of Nepali Journalists echoed thes concerns, asserting that the measure “undermines press freedom and citizens’ right to information.”
The government’s actions follow a recent Supreme Court ruling that upheld the local registration requirement, framing it as a necessary step to combat the spread of misinformation. However,the court stopped short of explicitly ordering a ban on non-compliant platforms,instead instructing officials to “make appropriate legal arrangements promptly,within the framework of the law.”
Notably,some platforms – including TikTok and Russia’s Viber – have been spared from the ban,having already fulfilled the registration requirements. “It is extremely troubling that Nepal has chosen to block access to entire social media and web services simply because they have not registered with the government,” said Raman Jit Singh Chima,Asia Pacific Policy Director and Global Cybersecurity Lead at access Now. Chima drew a stark comparison to “the architecture of censorship seen in the People’s Republic of China’s Great Firewall model of digital authoritarianism-a path wholly at odds with Nepal’s democratic aspirations and constitutional guarantees.”
Communications and Information Technology Minister prithvi Subba Gurung defended the government’s position, stating that ample time was provided for platforms to register and repeated requests were made, including to Meta. Meta, Google, and Snap have not yet issued a public response to the blocking order. According to a public notice issued by the Ministry of Communication and Information technology, access will be restored once the platforms comply with the registration requirements.
Chima argued that Nepal should “publish all blocking orders,restore access,and shift to a legislative process that narrows vague prohibitions and builds in due process,transparency and meaningful consultation.” He warned that the current directive grants the government “sweeping powers to suspend services, order removals, and deputise local ‘grievance’ and ‘self-regulation’ officers inside companies,” perhaps leading to over-blocking and pressure to remove lawful content.
The current situation is further complicated by a proposed social media bill, still awaiting approval, that has already faced public backlash. The legislation includes provisions for imprisonment and fines for online posts “deemed against national sovereignty or interest,” a measure the International Federation of Journalists has described as a threat to “severely undermine press freedom and digital expression.” While Minister Gurung has stated the government has “no intention of curtailing freedom of expression,” the bill’s potential for censorship remains a significant concern.
A spokesperson for Nepal’s Ministry of communication and Information Technology declined to comment on the blocking decision. The unfolding situation raises serious questions about the future of digital freedom and the balance between national security and essential rights in Nepal.
