KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has issued a notice instructing social media platforms operating in Nepal, including Facebook, to register within seven days. The ministry warned that failure to comply would lead to gradual deactivation of these platforms in the country.
Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung has reiterated the warning publicly, urging social media companies to complete the registration process immediately. According to the notice, platforms that fail to register must designate a local contact point, an official to handle complaints, and a compliance officer to ensure adherence to Nepalese law.
Currently, only a few platforms, such as TikTok and Viber, are officially registered in Nepal. Major networks widely used by Nepalis, including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, WhatsApp, and LinkedIn, have yet to complete the registration process.
The government has repeatedly issued notices to these platforms, both domestic and foreign-operated, to comply with Nepalese regulations. After ignoring previous notices, the ministry issued the latest directive as a final warning.
Ministry spokesperson Gajendra Kumar Thakur said platforms failing to register within the prescribed timeline could face strict penalties, including deactivation.
Minister Gurung previously addressed the National Assembly on August 19, stating that Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has repeatedly been asked to register in Nepal but has refused to comply with Nepalese law and the constitution. “We asked Meta to register, but they replied that they would not follow our constitution or laws, as they perceive us as weak,” he said
Past experiences show that foreign platforms tend to comply only after facing regulatory or restrictive actions. For instance, after TikTok was temporarily banned in Nepal, the platform agreed to register under local law. Similarly, Telegram complied with Nepalese regulations after government restrictions prompted company officials to initiate registration.
Nepal’s strategy of enforcing registration may compel compliance through the threat of sanctions. Experts suggest that platforms will be forced to register if Nepal moves forward with deactivation measures for non-compliance.
However, the majority of these platforms are American-owned, including Facebook, Instagram, X, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, and Gmail, which are widely used by millions of Nepalis. They are not only communication tools but also significant components of Nepal’s business ecosystem.
Some analysts have raised concerns about potential diplomatic and trade implications if Nepal bans these platforms. The United States is a major trading partner for Nepal, being the second-largest destination for Nepali exports after India. Last fiscal year, Nepal exported goods worth over Rs 18.3 billion to the U.S. Meanwhile, imports from the U.S. totaled nearly Rs 26 billion.
Despite these considerations, government advisors, including former U.S. ambassadors to Nepal, argue that implementing laws to regulate social media will not harm Nepal’s foreign trade or diplomatic relations. Yuba Raj Khatiwada, a former governor, stated, “Social media must operate within the legal framework. Platforms must follow the law like any other entity. Regulation does not mean curbing press freedom or restricting the flow of information, but ensuring orderly governance and social stability.”
Comment