March 14: Viber has officially been registered in Nepal as a social media platform. It has been registered for the first time in Nepal after the government issued the 'Directives on the Operation of Social Networking 2023’.
The ‘Directives on the Operation of Social Networking 2023’, passed by the Cabinet on November 9, 2023, makes it mandatory for social media sites such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok and YouTube, among others, to open their liaison offices in Nepal.

The government said the measure was introduced in light of an increasing number of people complaining that the absence of the companies’ representatives in Nepal made it difficult for the authorities to address their users’ concerns and even to remove objectionable content from the platforms. The directives include a 19-point not-to-do list for the users of platforms like Facebook, X, TikTok, YouTube and Instagram.

According to the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Viber has been registered in Nepal after completing the prescribed process according to the directives approved by the Cabinet. "Viber has been issued the registration certificate," said a senior official at the ministry, "Linked-In has also applied for the registration."

Interestingly, the Asia Internet Coalition (AIC) on Tuesday, had urged the Nepal government to implement a moratorium on the registration of social media platforms in Nepal until the Social Media Bill is finalized. Sending a letter to the Minister of Communication and Information Technology on March 12, the AIC has stated the proposed legislation, in its present form, poses significant challenges that, if not addressed comprehensively, will render both the Directive and Social Media Bill unworkable and could undermine the potential growth of Nepal's digital economy.