The government has decided to close 26 social media platforms including Facebook, WhatsApp, X, and YouTube.
The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology made the decision on Thursday to implement the decision of the Council of Ministers and the Supreme Court’s order.
The ministry has stated that it has already instructed the regulatory body for telecommunications and internet service providers, the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) to that end.
A ministerial level meeting held today made a decision to immediately deactivate social media platforms that have not been registered in Nepal. The ministry has begun the process to implement the order of the Supreme Court and the decision of the Council of Ministers made on August 25.
According to Communications Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung, the compulsion to deactivate social platforms arose because the platforms have been obstinate despite the government issuing notifications repeatedly to get registered in Nepal. “Our aim is not to shut them forever and they will be resumed as soon as they get in touch. Those ones that are already registered and the ones in the process of registration have not been closed,” he said.
Although some apps will be restricted, others, such as TikTok, Viber, Nimbazz, BitTalk, and Popoo Live, can still be used as they are registered in Nepal.
