Minister for Information and Communications Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung on Friday reiterated the government’s threat to ban Meta platforms in Nepal if the tech giant fails to officially register within a week.
Meta, the parent company of social media platforms Facebook and Instagram and communication tools like WhatsApp and Messenger, has yet to comply with Nepal’s directive requiring registration for social media companies operating in the country.
The ultimatum follows the expiration of the latest deadline—April 20—set by the government for digital platforms to register with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. No new platforms came forward by that date.
Speaking at an interaction program on the right to information organized by the National Information Commission in Kathmandu, Gurung warned: “If Meta does not register within a week, its services will be shut down in Nepal.”
Read: Facebook, Instagram and X Miss Deadline to Register in Nepal
Gurung emphasized that any platform conducting business in Nepal must adhere to its legal framework. “We’ve been urging Meta to respect the country’s laws and register officially,” he said, adding that the ministry is actively working to make Meta establish its contact office in Nepal.
The ministry held a virtual meeting last week with Meta’s Policy Management Team based in Singapore. During the meeting, Meta reportedly raised questions about whether Nepal’s legal framework supports such registration requirements.
In 2023, the government issued “Social Media Guidelines” aimed at regulating platforms operating within Nepal. Under these rules, all platforms must register with the Ministry, appoint a local contact person, assign a complaints officer, and renew their license every three years.
While Meta remains unregistered, a few platforms such as TikTok and Viber have complied. Notably, TikTok’s registration came after the government, under Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, imposed a ban in November 2023, accusing the platform of ‘disrupting social harmony’.
Read: From Ban to Praise: Nepal's Minister Now Backs TikTok
Since the ban was lifted in August 2024, TikTok has undergone a dramatic image overhaul, now receiving praise from the government for its commitment to social responsibility and support for digital education.
Minister Gurung previously highlighted TikTok’s pledges to promote digital literacy, run security awareness campaigns, produce localized educational content, offer scholarships, and support the development of smart classrooms in Nepal.
Gurung also urged other social media platforms to follow suit, saying registration would help systematize digital spaces and make them more accountable.
His remarks come as Parliament deliberates on a bill that would govern the operation of social platforms in Nepal.
Gurung insisted that any digital content that threatens social cohesion, promotes criminal behavior, invades personal privacy, or undermines national sovereignty in the name of free expression would be subject to regulation.
However, observers warn that the government’s push for registration could be a pretext to tighten control over online expression. Critics argue that previous governments have grown increasingly antagonistic toward social media platforms, viewing them as breeding grounds for public dissent.
Additionally, blocking platforms like Facebook and Messenger, critics say, would disrupt vital communication networks used by millions of Nepalis, both at home and abroad. These platforms have become essential tools for staying connected, especially as thousands of young Nepalis migrate overseas for employment. In their absence, people may be forced to rely on traditional cellular calls, which are significantly more expensive.
Social media has also evolved into a vital source of information for the general public. With traffic to traditional news websites dwindling, most major media outlets now rely on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) to distribute content and engage with audiences.
Digital platforms have also created income opportunities for content creators, allowing them to earn livelihoods from home—a significant boon in a country where job opportunities are scarce.
Observers stress that social media is not just a communication tool but a fundamental right in the modern information era. They urge the government to resolve registration issues through transparent dialogue and sustained engagement—not through threats of bans, which could provoke widespread backlash.
(With input from RSS)
