‘Register or Be Blocked’: Nepal Gives Meta, X a One-Week Deadline

The Government of Nepal has intensified its efforts to regulate social media platforms, issuing a seven-day ultimatum for platforms, including global giants like Facebook, to register with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MoCIT). This action comes after the expiration of a previous one-month deadline, during which Meta, the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, failed to comply.

The cabinet’s decision, made on Monday, aligns with the Social Media Management Directive  and a Supreme Court order. These measures are aimed at ensuring accountability and curbing misinformation, hate speech, and illegal content on digital platforms.

The Social Media Management Directive 2080, introduced under the Electronic Transaction Act 2063, establishes a comprehensive framework for regulating social media in Nepal. It mandates that all platforms operating in the country must register with the MoCIT. Non-registered platforms face the risk of being blocked, with the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) tasked with enforcing such bans.

Platforms must also renew their licenses every three years, develop algorithms to prevent the spread of illegal content, and remove unlawful material within 24 hours of receiving complaints. Additionally, the directive requires platforms to protect user data, promote awareness about safe usage, and refrain from publishing content that undermines national sovereignty, territorial integrity, or social harmony.

To date, only Viber, TikTok, and WeTalk have registered in Nepal, while Meta and other major platforms like X have not responded to multiple government communications over recent months. The directive classifies platforms based on their user base, with those exceeding 100,000 users considered “large.” Large platforms are required to appoint dedicated officers to handle grievances and ensure self-regulation.

Nepal has over 14.3 million social media users, accounting for 48.1% of its population. This ranks the country among the highest globally in per capita social media usage. Facebook alone commands around 12.5 million users and generates millions of dollars in annual revenue from the country.

The messaging app Telegram, which was banned in Nepal in July over its alleged use in online fraud and money laundering, has formally applied for registration with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. According to the ministry, Telegram’s application will be reviewed this week. The government had imposed the ban on July 18, instructing all telecom and internet service providers to block access to the platform.