Popular social media platforms including TikTok, Viber, and We Talk have been officially registered with Nepal's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, according to a report by the state-owned news agency RSS.

The registration of TikTok, which occurred on Tuesday, was in line with Section 3 (1) of the Guidelines for Regulation of the Use of Social Media - 2080 BS. This regulation mandates that any individual, company, or organisation wishing to operate a social media platform in Nepal must register with the Ministry.

 “TikTok was officially registered on Tuesday,” Mamata Bastola, Information Officer and Undersecretary at the Ministry, told RSS. “The process had been delayed due to the Dashain and Tihar festivals.”

The Ministry had previously urged all social media networks operating in Nepal to register in accordance with the Guidelines.

Last year, the Cabinet passed directives mandating the registration of social networks, with non-compliant platforms facing a potential ban.

On November 13, 2023, the Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led government imposed a ban on TikTok in Nepal, which sparked protests from political parties such as the Nepali Congress, Rastriya Swatantra Party, Rastriya Prajatantra Party, and other stakeholders.

The current Oli-led government lifted the ban on August 22, after which TikTok requested time to officially register and resume operations in Nepal.

In addition to TikTok, platforms such as Viber and We Talk have also been registered with the Ministry, RSS reported.

"Other social networks are in the process of being enlisted," Undersecretary Bastola told RSS.