Nepal banned access to 26 major social media platforms in September 2025 because most companies failed to register locally and comply with the country’s Social Media Directive following a Supreme Court mandate, leading authorities to order telecoms and ISPs to deactivate unregistered services nationwide until further notice. The ban targets platforms that did not meet requirements to register with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MoCIT), appoint a local contact and grievance officer, and implement self-regulation and takedown mechanisms, with the government framing the move as necessary to curb misinformation, hate speech, and cybercrime while assuring restoration once firms initiate compliance.
Key reasons
- The core reason was registration failure under Nepal’s Directive on Regulating the Use of Social Media (2080/2023), which requires a local presence, designated officers, and accountability processes for content moderation and legal compliance.
- A recent Supreme Court directive reinforced the rule that online platforms must be registered before operating in Nepal, pushing the Cabinet and MoCIT to impose a firm deadline and instruct deactivation for noncompliant services.
- Authorities said the ban aimed to counter misinformation, online abuse, and cybercrime, with the Ministry’s order implemented by the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) through telecoms and ISPs, with reactivation possible after firms begin registration.
What happened
On September 4, 2025, MoCIT directed the NTA to block access to unregistered platforms after a seven-day ultimatum expired, and the regulator circulated a list of 26 services to be deactivated, including global products like Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram, WhatsApp, and others. Telecoms and ISPs began enforcement that night, although access was initially inconsistent across networks and regions as providers rolled out DNS/IP blocks progressively. The ministry and regulator said services that start the registration process could see access restored, reflecting an enforcement mechanism tethered to compliance rather than a purely punitive approach.
Legal basis
The ban rests on the 2023 Social Media Directive (2080 BS), which obliges platforms to register with MoCIT, appoint a local representative, maintain a grievance redressal system, and operate under a license to be obtained within three months and renewed every three years. In mid-August 2025, the Supreme Court ordered that platforms must be registered to operate, empowering the executive to impose clear deadlines and deactivate noncompliant services in the public interest to address online harms. The Cabinet followed up on August 25 with a directive, and MoCIT gave a seven-day ultimatum on August 28, culminating in the September 4 enforcement action coordinated through NTA and network operators.
Policy goals
Officials framed the move as part of a broader effort to curb hate speech, misinformation, and cybercrime by requiring a local locus of accountability for moderation, takedowns, and legal liaison with Nepali authorities. The registration mandate also seeks to ensure platforms have in-country contacts and grievance officers so users and regulators can resolve complaints faster and more transparently. Reporting indicates the government viewed noncompliance after repeated requests as grounds for temporary shutdowns until companies begin the formal process and commit to Nepal’s regulatory standards.
The 26 blocked platforms
According to the NTA list published after the order, access was to be disabled to the following services for noncompliance with registration requirements :
- Messenger
- YouTube
- X (formerly Twitter)
- Snapchat
- Discord
- Signal
- Threads
- Quora
- Tumblr
- Clubhouse
- Mastodon
- Rumble
- VK
- Line
- IMO
- Zalo
- Soul
- Hamro Patro
Notably, TikTok and Viber were not covered by this ban because they had already registered with MoCIT, even though TikTok had a prior temporary ban before completing registration in 2024. Reports also note Telegram faced a separate ban earlier in 2025 over alleged fraud and money laundering concerns, distinct from the registration-based enforcement of September 2025.
Who ordered it
The order originated from MoCIT following Cabinet decisions and a Supreme Court directive, with implementation through the NTA and cooperation from major telecoms and ISPs after a seven-day notice period ended. Media reports attribute the enforcement to ministerial-level decisions led by the communications minister, after coordination meetings with the regulator and operators, reflecting a top-down compliance drive. This sequence aligns with the judiciary’s earlier mandate on platform registration and the executive’s subsequent deadlines and enforcement framework.
Timeline at a glance
- August 17, 2025: Supreme Court rules online platforms must register to operate, citing misinformation concerns and oversight needs.
- August 25, 2025: Cabinet decision sets the registration enforcement in motion for unregistered platforms.
- August 28, 2025: MoCIT issues a seven-day ultimatum for domestic and international platforms to register or face deactivation.
- September 4, 2025: MoCIT directs NTA to deactivate 26 unregistered platforms; operators begin blocking access.
- September 5, 2025: Kathmandu Post reports only Hamro Patro and X reached out formally; enforcement continues with partial access fluctuations during rollout.
How enforcement works
NTA instructed telecoms and ISPs to implement the block via DNS/IP-level controls, which can take time to propagate and may produce inconsistent access during the initial phase. State-owned Nepal Telecom announced immediate removal of listed platforms from its service, while private operator Ncell said it began gradual blocking at midnight, with social apps accounting for a significant share of network traffic. The Internet Service Provider Association of Nepal detailed the creation of a technical team to identify IPs and execute DNS-based blocking, signaling a continuing process rather than a single switch-off event.
Access status and exceptions
Initial reports indicated some platforms remained accessible temporarily on certain networks on the first day, reflecting staggered implementation and network differences. Separately, TikTok and Viber continued operating because they registered earlier, illustrating the government’s enforcement focus on registration status rather than the nature of content per se. In addition, MoCIT indicated services may be restored progressively once companies initiate registration and demonstrate compliance steps, which turns the ban into a pathway toward regulated operation rather than a blanket, indefinite prohibition.
Economic and social impacts
Telecom operator Ncell warned that roughly 50 percent of its internet traffic is tied to social platforms, and shutdowns would hurt business, echoing revenue losses experienced during the prior TikTok ban period. Small businesses that rely on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp for outreach and commerce scrambled to move activity to platforms still available, with a short-term surge in Viber and some increased TikTok traffic causing slowdowns, according to local industry accounts. Given the timing ahead of major festivals, sellers feared disruptions to marketing and sales, underscoring the centrality of social channels to Nepal’s digital economy.
Political and rights reactions
The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the move as harmful to press freedom and the public’s access to information, urging the government to rescind the order and restore services essential for reporting and civic discourse. Nepal’s National Human Rights Commission and civil society groups similarly raised concerns about fundamental rights and proportionality, urging a review and alternatives to blanket shutdowns. Political voices across opposition and even within ruling coalitions criticized the decision as disruptive and potentially chaotic, emphasizing the need for workable registration pathways rather than broad deactivations.
Government’s stance
Officials have argued that repeated requests for compliance were ignored and that the ban is a necessary enforcement step to implement the Supreme Court directive and ensure platforms operate under Nepal’s laws. MoCIT emphasized that the directive seeks accountability through local representation and structured grievance redressal, which authorities say are crucial for tackling misuse and harmful content at scale. Statements reviewed by rights and media groups indicate that services that begin the registration process may see access restored gradually, consistent with a compliance-first posture.
Registration requirements
Under the Social Media Directive, platforms must register with MoCIT, establish a local contact point or liaison office, appoint a grievance and compliance officer, and implement self-regulatory processes for content and user complaints. Licenses are to be obtained within three months of registration and renewed every three years, embedding ongoing oversight into the operating framework. These conditions are designed to ensure that Nepal-based users and authorities can meaningfully engage with service providers and seek redress when needed.
Current company responses
Within 24 hours of the ban decision, MoCIT said only two companies—Hamro Patro and X—formally reached out regarding registration, with X seeking document requirements and Hamro Patro submitting an application, despite being named on the deactivation list. Meta was reported to have contacted officials informally earlier, but as of the following afternoon no formal correspondence had been received by the ministry, according to officials cited in domestic reporting. News coverage also noted that TikTok and Viber had previously completed registration, which kept them outside the scope of the September 4 order.
Prior bans and context
Nepal briefly banned TikTok in November 2023 citing social harmony concerns, later lifting the ban in August 2024 when ByteDance registered and agreed to regulatory terms, establishing the precedent for compliance-linked restoration. Telegram was separately banned in July 2025 due to alleged use in online fraud and money laundering, a distinct policy track from the registration-driven enforcement action in September 2025. These episodes show a pattern: restrictions tied either to specific harms or to compliance lapses, with doors left open for reinstatement upon meeting government requirements.
For travelers and visitors
Travelers to Nepal should anticipate that many globally popular social platforms may be inaccessible on local networks while enforcement is in effect, and should plan communication and trip logistics accordingly. Coverage in regional outlets emphasizes that access may change as companies register or as network-level blocking is fully implemented, so it is prudent to check the latest status before and during travel. Tourism-related businesses and creators accustomed to using Instagram, WhatsApp, or YouTube may need contingency plans using registered or available services while in Nepal.
Comparison: rules vs. outcomes
| Requirement (directive) | Practical implication |
| Register with MoCIT | Companies must formally enter Nepal’s regulatory net or risk deactivation until they do. |
| Local liaison and grievance officer | Users and regulators gain in-country contacts for faster complaint handling and legal coordination. |
| Self-regulation and takedowns | Platforms are expected to enforce local laws on harmful content and respond to official requests more predictably. |
| License within three months; renew every three years | Ongoing oversight becomes routine, tying continued operation to periodic compliance milestones. |
Likely next steps
As more companies initiate registration, authorities have indicated that access could be restored progressively, aligning enforcement with demonstrable compliance steps. Domestic reporting suggests the ministry is prepared to process applications and that operators will follow regulators’ instructions for reactivation as and when approvals are given. In the interim, network enforcement will likely tighten as IP and DNS blocks propagate fully, reducing the inconsistencies seen in the first 24–48 hours.
Full list recap
The complete list announced for deactivation comprises Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, X, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Reddit, Discord, Pinterest, Signal, Threads, WeChat, Quora, Tumblr, Clubhouse, Mastodon, Rumble, VK, Line, IMO, Zalo, Soul, and Hamro Patro, with TikTok and Viber not covered due to prior registration. The list reflects platforms widely used in Nepal for communication, news, entertainment, and commerce, underscoring the scale of the disruption for users and businesses. Officials and rights groups alike acknowledge the breadth of the impact, even as debates continue over proportionality and due process.
FAQs
Why did Nepal ban 26 platforms in 2025?
The ban stemmed from widespread noncompliance with Nepal’s requirement that social platforms register locally, appoint responsible officers, and commit to self-regulation under the Social Media Directive, reinforced by a Supreme Court directive in August 2025. After a Cabinet decision and a seven-day ultimatum expired, MoCIT instructed NTA to deactivate unregistered services nationwide. Officials framed the measure as necessary to address online harms and enforce accountability, with restoration tied to initiation of the registration process.
Which platforms were blocked?
The NTA list named 26, including Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, X, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Reddit, Discord, Pinterest, Signal, Threads, WeChat, Quora, Tumblr, Clubhouse, Mastodon, Rumble, VK, Line, IMO, Zalo, Soul, and Hamro Patro. TikTok and Viber were not included because they had already registered with MoCIT, distinguishing them from the noncompliant services. Initial enforcement was rolling, so some services remained reachable temporarily during the first day in some areas.
Is the ban permanent?
Government statements and rights monitoring indicate access can be restored once companies begin registration and demonstrate compliance, making the ban a conditional enforcement rather than a permanent prohibition. Domestic reporting emphasized that operators will follow NTA’s reactivation instructions for platforms that clear regulatory steps, implying a pathway back for major services that engage. This approach mirrors prior episodes where bans were lifted after compliance, as with TikTok’s registration in 2024.
What is the legal foundation?
The Social Media Directive (2080/2023) requires registration with MoCIT, local representatives, grievance officers, and self-regulation for content compliance, along with licensing timelines and renewals. The Supreme Court’s August 2025 ruling mandated registration for platforms operating in Nepal, strengthening the executive’s ability to set deadlines and deactivate noncompliant services. Cabinet decisions on August 25 and a seven-day ultimatum on August 28 provided the immediate policy trigger for the September 4 enforcement.
How does this affect journalists and free expression?
CPJ warned the shutdown sets a dangerous precedent for press freedom, cutting off tools essential for reporting and public access to news and information. Nepal’s National Human Rights Commission and civil society groups also urged a review, citing risks to fundamental rights and advocating alternatives to blanket shutdowns. Political leaders across parties criticized the decision as potentially destabilizing and harmful to democratic discourse.
What are the economic implications?
Operators reported that social platforms account for a very large share of network traffic, with Ncell estimating about half of its internet usage tied to such services, implying significant revenue and usage disruptions. Small businesses quickly shifted activity to platforms still available, but many feared losses during a crucial festive season when social commerce peaks. Past experience with targeted bans, like the earlier TikTok episode, showed measurable financial impacts for telecoms and digital sellers.
Are any platforms still accessible?
Enforcement was not instantaneous everywhere; on the first day some platforms remained reachable on certain networks due to the technical rollout of DNS and IP blocking. ISPs and carriers formed technical teams to identify IPs and implement blocks, indicating that access would tighten as enforcement matured. Over time, availability is expected to align more closely with the official list unless and until services register and are reactivated.
What must platforms do to return?
Companies need to register with MoCIT, designate local contact and grievance officers, implement self-regulation for content, and obtain a license within three months, with periodic renewals thereafter. Authorities have signaled that initiating registration can trigger gradual restoration of access on Nepali networks. Media reporting shows some firms—such as X and Hamro Patro—have already engaged the ministry to start or inquire about the process.
How does this differ from the 2023–2024 bans?
The 2023 TikTok ban was justified on social harmony grounds and later lifted when the company registered and complied, making it a precedent for compliance-driven restoration. Telegram’s separate 2025 ban centered on alleged misuse for fraud and money laundering, which is a distinct policy rationale from the registration-based deactivations in September 2025. The new move applies a generalized compliance standard across many platforms simultaneously, rather than a single-app content concern.
What should travelers know?
Regional coverage highlighted that popular platforms may be inaccessible while enforcement is active, affecting communication, navigation of travel services, and content sharing for visitors. The situation is fluid—availability may change as companies register or as blocks fully propagate—so travelers should check current access conditions before and during trips. Businesses in hospitality and tourism reliant on social channels may need temporary alternatives that remain available in Nepal.
In conclusion, Nepal’s ban on 26 major social media platforms in 2025 was a decisive measure triggered by widespread noncompliance with the government’s mandatory local registration requirements. Following a Supreme Court directive and a strict deadline set by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, platforms including Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, and others were blocked nationwide for failing to register their operations and appoint local grievance officers. The government justified the move as necessary to enhance accountability, monitor harmful content, and regulate online speech, while critics have warned of significant impacts on freedom of expression, migrant communications, and digital businesses. Although the ban disrupted everyday communication and commerce, officials left the door open for restoration as platforms begin the registration process, signaling the policy’s focus on regulatory compliance rather than permanent prohibition. This landmark event underscores Nepal’s push to assert sovereignty over its digital ecosystem amid global conversations on internet governance and platform accountability.
