Nepal has blocked access to dozens of major social media platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and WhatsApp, due to their failure to comply with the country’s registration requirements. The move is part of a global trend of governments increasing oversight of big tech companies.
In 2023, the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology issued directives requiring all social media platforms to register with the government before operating in the country. The Supreme Court recently backed this measure, instructing the government to ensure that both foreign and domestic platforms are officially registered so that their content can be monitored. The government claims that the registration rules are intended to combat fake accounts, hate speech, and cybercrime in a country where the majority of the population uses the internet.
Platforms were given a week to apply for registration from August 28, but the deadline passed without any of the major global players, including Meta, Alphabet, and LinkedIn, submitting applications. As a result, 26 platforms that ignored the directives have been blocked. However, some platforms, such as TikTok and Viber, did register, while others, like Telegram, are still awaiting approval.
The decision to block the platforms has sparked outrage online, with users calling it a regressive move in the digital era. Many are concerned that the ban will cut millions of people off from essential services they rely on daily. This move is not unique to Nepal, as governments around the world, including the US, EU, Brazil, and Australia, are taking steps to tighten control over social media, citing concerns about misinformation, data misuse, and security risks.
Recently, Russia’s media watchdog restricted voice calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, citing their use in scams and terrorist activities. The trend of governments increasing their control over social media is likely to continue, with many countries seeking to balance the benefits of social media with the need to protect their citizens from potential harms. The Nepalese government has stated that any platform that completes the registration process will be reopened, but for now, the ban remains in place, affecting millions of users in the country.
