Nepal Moves to Block Facebook, YouTube, and 24 Other Platforms After Supreme Court Order

In a sweeping move that could reshape Nepal’s digital landscape, the government has decided to block 26 major social media platforms, including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn, after they failed to register with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology.

The decision, made during a ministerial-level meeting chaired by Communications and IT Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung on Thursday, follows a Supreme Court directive mandating tighter regulation of online platforms. Sources in the ministry confirmed that the Nepal Telecommunications Authority has been instructed to begin enforcing the ban immediately.

“We gave them enough time to register and repeatedly requested compliance, but they ignored the notices, leaving us no choice but to shut their operations in Nepal,” Minister Gurung said.

Why the ban was imposed?

The move stems from a mandamus order by the Supreme Court, where a joint bench of Justices Tek Prasad Dhungana and Shanti Singh Thapa directed the government to regulate unregistered social media platforms and OTT services. The order also required foreign digital broadcasters to obtain permission before operating in Nepal.

Despite repeated notices since late 2023, only a handful of platforms—TikTok, Viber, Nimbuzz, WeTalk, and Popo Live—have registered. Global tech giants, including Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp), Alphabet (YouTube), and X, failed to comply with the government’s final seven-day deadline, which expired on Wednesday.

Which platforms are affected?

The ban impacts most widely used platforms in Nepal, such as:

- Facebook, Messenger, Instagram

- X (formerly Twitter), Threads, Reddit, LinkedIn

- YouTube, Snapchat, Pinterest, Signal, Clubhouse, Rumble

There is still uncertainty about whether WhatsApp and Gmail will fall under the ban, as officials debated whether they qualify as social media services.

Impact on creators and economy

The ban comes just as Facebook’s monetisation programme for Nepalese creators had begun, enabling users to earn through reels, videos, and posts. Digital entrepreneurs warn that this sudden halt will directly cut off a vital source of income.

Analysts also caution that the ban could drive users toward VPNs and other workarounds, raising internet bandwidth costs and slashing telecom revenues. When TikTok was previously banned, mobile operator Ncell reportedly lost nearly Rs 600 million monthly.

Critics voice concern

Rights groups and digital economy experts have raised alarms, warning that the ban could undermine freedom of expression, access to information, and business growth in Nepal’s emerging digital sector.

For now, thousands of Nepalese who rely on social media for work, news, and connection are left uncertain about how long the restrictions will last—and what this means for the future of Nepal’s online space.

Nepal’s Social Media Ban Explained in Six Questions

Why did the government ban social media platforms like Facebook?

The government required all platforms to register within seven days under the Social Media Directives 2080. The decision followed a Supreme Court order mandating registration before operation in Nepal. As most global platforms ignored repeated notices, the government decided to ban them.

How many times did the government warn companies before the ban?

Since November 2023, the government has issued five public notices and written directly to major platforms. Minister Gurung said Meta and others ignored repeated reminders and extensions. The final seven-day deadline issued on August 28 expired on Thursday.

Which platforms are still accessible?

Currently, TikTok, Viber, Nimbuzz, WeTalk, and Popo Live remain accessible. Telegram and Global Diary are still under review.

Which popular platforms will stop working?

Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, Reddit, Threads, YouTube, Snapchat, Pinterest, Signal, Clubhouse and Rumble face restrictions. There is still debate over WhatsApp and Gmail.

How will the ban affect creators and the economy?

Facebook had just launched a monetisation programme in Nepal, allowing creators to earn directly. The ban halts these earnings, affecting digital income and the wider economy.

What could happen next?

Past bans suggest users may turn to VPNs, which could increase international bandwidth costs and reduce telecom revenues. Rights groups are expected to raise concerns over freedom of expression.