Kathmandu ( The COW News Digital) The government of Nepal has announced a sweeping crackdown on social media platforms that fail to comply with new registration requirements, warning that unregistered services will be blocked across the country. Officials say the move is aimed at curbing fake news, hate speech, and cybercrime, which they argue are undermining social harmony.
According to Reuters, Nepal’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology had directed all social media companies to register with authorities by Wednesday. The mandate included appointing a local representative, designating an officer to handle user complaints, and assigning a compliance manager responsible for self-regulation.
While some platforms, including TikTok, Viber, WeTalk, Numbuzz, and Popo Live, have completed the registration process, major global players such as Facebook and other leading apps have yet to comply. As a result, the Nepal Telecommunications Authority has been instructed to immediately restrict access to non-registered platforms.
Minister for Communications and IT, Prithvi Subba Gurung, defended the government’s decision, saying repeated opportunities had been given to the companies to follow the rules. “We emphasized registration multiple times, but when platforms ignored our warnings, this step became necessary,” he said.
The move places Nepal among a growing list of countries tightening oversight of social media. In the United States, European Union, Brazil, and Australia, regulations on accountability and content removal have been strengthened. India has already made it mandatory for platforms to appoint local grievance officers and establish content removal mechanisms, while China enforces strict licensing and censorship laws.
Critics, however, warn that such measures could limit freedom of expression. Experts argue that while accountability is essential, blanket shutdowns risk silencing voices and restricting democratic debate.
The National Independent Party, Nepal’s fourth-largest political force, voiced similar concerns. Party spokesperson Manish Jha stressed the importance of lawful monitoring but opposed total bans. “Regulation is necessary, but outright shutdowns are not the answer,” he said.
The decision has sparked debate among civil rights groups, technology experts, and internet users across Nepal. While many acknowledge the challenges of misinformation and cybercrime, questions remain about how far governments should go in controlling online spaces without infringing on citizens’ rights.
As the government begins implementing its orders, the coming days will reveal whether global tech giants choose to comply with Nepal’s directives or risk being cut off from millions of users in the Himalayan nation.
