ताजा
लोकप्रिय
The Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA) has directed all mobile and internet service providers to deactivate 26 social media platforms that remain unregistered in the country.
बिज्ञापन
The directive was issued in a circular released by the NTA today, following government efforts to regulate digital platforms operating within Nepal. Platforms affected by the ban include globally popular services such as Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, Twitter (X), LinkedIn, Snapchat, and WeChat, among others.
बिज्ञापन
Both state-owned Nepal Telecom and private telecom operator Ncell confirmed the implementation of the directive, stating that access to unregistered platforms has been shut down in accordance with the government’s instructions.
Minister Gurung Confirms Enforcement Begins Today
बिज्ञापन
Speaking to journalists at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung confirmed that the deactivation of unlisted social media platforms would begin immediately, as the deadline for registration expired today.
“We had asked platforms to register within seven days as per the Social Media Management Directive, 2080. Those who failed to do so will now be deactivated, but they can be reactivated once they complete the registration process,” Minister Gurung stated.
The move comes in response to a Supreme Court order directing the government to ensure that both domestic and foreign digital platforms operating in Nepal are officially registered. The Council of Ministers subsequently issued a public notice, inviting interested individuals, companies, or organizations to apply for registration as per the guidelines outlined in the directive.
Background and Legal Framework
The “Directive to Manage the Use of Social Media, 2080” requires platforms to submit an application for listing using the format specified in Schedule 1. The aim is to bring digital platforms under regulatory oversight, ensuring accountability and compliance with Nepalese law.
Minister Gurung emphasized that this is not a blanket ban, but a regulatory enforcement measure: “We’re not shutting platforms indefinitely. As soon as they register, services will be restored.”
The NTA has yet to publish the full list of the 26 deactivated platforms. However, users across the country have already begun reporting disruptions to access on several major platforms.
