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Updated: 4 September, 2025
Nepal has lifted the ban on 26 major social media platforms that were previously blocked over registration failures. Platforms like Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube are now accessible again in the country.
Social media such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter) are now totally blocked in Nepal. The ban is the first of its kind, depriving millions of users of daily areas of digital space.
The government expressed that these sites did not meet the registration requirement as required during the specified period. Regulations, according to authorities, are needed to establish accountability, security, and appropriate digital governance.
Such an audacious move is a turning point in the digitization of Nepal. It poses significant questions concerning free expression, business effects, and the reaction of international tech giants to local legislation.
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The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, on September 4, 2025, declared that 26 social media websites will be officially blocked in Nepal. The prohibition was enforced right after the ultimatum had elapsed in 7 days. In its official release, the ministry clarified that the platforms had not enrolled themselves under the new Nepalese digital regulations, and that the regulation is needed to make the platforms accountable, secure, and protect users.
The list of platforms has been comprehensive, totaling 26 sites in total, and it is obvious that this is not a targeted or focused move, but a blanket digital takedown. Facebook, X (previously Twitter), Instagram, and YouTube are some of the largest players in the world, and they are the core of the ban, which blocks out millions of daily users. On top of these giants, the limitation also affects numerous platforms within the social networking, video sharing, messaging, and content creation services that are redefining the ways Nepalis connect and communicate over the internet.
Yes, on September 4, 2025, the Nepal government officially wrote to the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) requesting that all the internet service providers (ISPs) block the unregistered social media sites.
The order is based on the resolution of the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology to implement the Directives on the Management of the Use of Social Networks, 2023. In so doing, the government will seek to regulate and subject these platforms to regulatory compliance with its mandatory registration policy.
The Nepal government has clarified that the social media platform that is going to be operated in the country has to be registered formally by the Directives of the Managing the Use of Social Networks, 2023. The conditions are the establishment of a local office or representative in Nepal, one designated contact person, tax compliance, acceptance of content moderation obligations, and national standards of data privacy and security.
According to the officials, such steps are aimed at promoting accountability, national security, data protection, and efficient taxation of international technological corporations that are operating in Nepal. The government says that in the absence of such regulation, platforms are free to operate outside the bounds of local law, which makes it hard to restrict harmful content, protect user data, or earn fair revenue on digital products.
Various reasons could have contributed to the non-compliance with social media in Nepal. To begin with, the specifications were complicated and bureaucratic, requiring local offices, predetermined contacts, content moderation systems, and firm data protocols.
Some companies might have found the economic feasibility of establishing local operations in Nepal expensive due to the cost and logistics of doing so. Another conflict is that of national and global operating models, as most tech giants are accustomed to working with similar policies internationally without adjusting to national laws.
The fear of creating a world precedent may have left the companies reluctant, as other countries might have similar strict rules. Certainly, these platforms might have misjudged the determination of the Nepali government or have been inadequately engaged and negotiating a viable resolution when the 7-day deadline lapsed.
Similar to countries like the USA, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, which control the internet, Nepal also now follows this trend. This movement has raised questions and debate among people who own the internet, global tech companies, or individual countries that enforce laws and regulations.
The ban on this social media can help to grow the local platforms, but it also risks stifling innovation by restricting access to global tools and networks. Additionally, it may affect foreign tech investment and slow the growth of digital literacy, as users and businesses lose exposure to international platforms and technologies.
The ban has raised serious worries about censorship and the restriction of online spaces for public debate. Many fear it could limit avenues for dissent and constrain independent reporting, affecting both journalists and everyday users seeking to share information freely.
After the ban, the social media platform may comply and make compromises, and work under Nepal’s regulatory guidelines. The Communication Minister stated that the ban will be lifted immediately once a company complies and registers with the government.
Even though major platforms like Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, Messenger, and X remain blocked, you can still connect with registered social media platforms such as Viber, TikTok, Numbuzz, WeTalk, and PopoLive. It will help you connect with friends, family, and stay online for communication and business purposes.
After the final decision from the Nepal government to ban the unregistered social media platform, it can create disrupted communication, business, and access to information. If all these unregistered app is banned, then we suggest you choose the registered platform. We hope that the unregistered platform will come for registration under the Nepal government law, and the scenario will become normal like before. Keep in touch with us for the latest news about the ban of major social media in Nepal.
Sabin Shrestha is an experienced content writer with over 4 years of expertise in creating clear and engaging content. He specializes in writing about lifestyle, travel, health, and technology, delivering well-researched articles that connect with readers. Known for his storytelling skills and attention to detail, Sabin creates content that informs, inspires, and leaves a lasting impression on audiences.
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