Social media apps in Nepal get banned over failed registration

Losses feared in telco sector as a result of big government move.

The telecommunications industry in Nepal is anticipating taking a huge hit after 26 social media platforms were ordered blocked for failing to register with the government by 3 September.

Those affected by the ban include Meta's Facebook and Instagram, Google-owned YouTube, and Microsoft subsidiary LinkedIn. X, formerly known as Twitter, has reportedly reached out to Nepal's Ministry of Communication and Information Technology post-deadline about getting registered.

Ministry spokesperson Gajendra Kumar Thakur was cited by The Kathmandu Post as confirming: "X has sent an official email from its regional office in Singapore expressing interest in registering in Nepal and has asked for the list of required documents."

Currently, only TikTok, Viber, and three other platforms are registered with the ministry. Meanwhile Telegram and two others – including local application Hamro Patro, which moved to register after being part of the original ban list – are waiting to get their respective registrations approved.

Thakur was previously reported as saying: "All others will be deactivated inside Nepal. Any platform completing registration will be reopened the same day."

Nepal's social media ban set to impact telco sector
Under the Nepal Telecommunications Authority's oversight, telecom companies in the country have begun the process of shutting down the banned platforms, which may take days to complete as it is "impossible" to do all at once, according to local firm Ncell.

The telecom industry, meanwhile, is bracing for losses. The Kathmandu Post quoted Ncell as stating: "Even if customers shift to TikTok, Viber, or voice and SMS packages, the revenue loss from the stoppage of other social media platforms cannot be compensated."

The warning was based on a previous ban that lasted for nine months from November 2023. At the time, TikTok (which has since complied with local regulations) was banned for supposedly disrupting social harmony in Nepal. According to Ncell, that led to approximately $35.5m (Rs5b) in losses for the telco sector.

Part of the government's move to regulate social media in the country, the registration directive and subsequent ban have led to youth-initiated protests. As of this writing, 19 deaths have been reported as a result of the demonstrations.