KATHMANDU: The government has issued a notice requiring individuals, companies, or organizations wishing to operate social media networks in Nepal to register with government agencies within one month.
The notice also warns that social media platforms that fail to register within this timeframe may face closure.
The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology issued the notice on Wednesday in accordance with the provisions of the Directive on Regulating the Use of Social Media, 2080.
Section 3 of the directive mandates that individuals, companies, or organizations operating or intending to operate social media networks must apply to the ministry for registration.
This application should include the necessary documents as specified in Schedule-1 of the directive.
The directive also requires that these individuals, companies, or organizations establish a contact point, designate a resident complaint hearing officer, and appoint an officer responsible for monitoring compliance with self-regulation within Nepal.
As of now, Viber, TikTok, and Saramsha Media Lab Pvt. Ltd. (VTalk) are listed and operating with the ministry’s approval.
The ministry has instructed all other social media platforms operating in Nepal, except those mentioned above, to register within 30 days in compliance with the directive.
The notice further states, “All concerned parties are hereby informed to make arrangements for a contact point, a resident complaint hearing officer, and an officer to monitor self-regulation compliance within Nepal. Social media platforms that fail to register within the specified period may face a ban on their operation in Nepal, as per sub-section (7) of Section 3 of the directive.”
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