Criticism Mounts as Govt Pulls the Plug on Unregistered Social Platforms

Late on Thursday, September 4, Nepal Telecom and Ncell—Nepal's telecom operators—announced that unregistered social media platforms would be shut down on their network following a government directive.

The order, issued earlier in the day by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, instructed the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) to inactivate platforms that had not formally registered under the Guidelines for Regulating Social Media, 2023. NTA, then, wrote to the mobile and inernet service providers informing them of the government decision. Officials said the measure was meant to bring platforms under local law and ensure accountability for their content.

For now, 26 platforms—including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, Twitter, and LinkedIn—are officially slated for blackout. Yet, at the time of publication, they were still accessible. Only five platforms—TikTok, Viber, Nimbuzz, WeTalk, and Poppo Live—have completed registration with the ministry.

The move has provoked criticism across the political spectrum, among journalists, content creators, rights groups, and ordinary users, many of whom mocked the government online with memes.

“An unnecessary decision"

Former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai said regulating platforms was legitimate but shutting them down in the “old-fashioned” style of control was misguided in an age dominated by the internet and AI. He noted that most platforms already pay taxes in Nepal. “If they have already been doing so, I don’t think they need additional registration just to curb their expression,” he said.

The Inland Revenue Department has confirmed that Meta services (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp), Alphabet’s YouTube and Google, and Microsoft platforms are registered for tax purposes and regularly pay VAT and digital service taxes.

Journalists push back

The Online Journalists’ Association called the decision “unconstitutional, arbitrary, and anti-democratic,” likening it to King Gyanendra’s suspension of telecom services during the state of emergency two decades ago.

The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) also objected, saying the shutdown undermined both press freedom and citizens’ right to information. “While we support regulation, we cannot accept measures that restrict freedom of expression,” FNJ General Secretary Ram Prasad Dahal said.

Political dissent

Dissent has emerged even within the ruling coalition. Nepali Congress leader Shekhar Koirala said the government acted to silence criticism. “Can the government estimate how many Nepalis will lose their livelihood because of this decision?” he asked. Gokul Banskota, the CPN-UML leader, on a social media post, said, “It seems the government wants to turn Nepal into North Korea.”

Congress General Secretary Gagan Thapa cited the Supreme Court’s directive to regulate harmful content through legal frameworks, not blanket bans. “Instead of closing down platforms, let us expedite the lawmaking process,” said Thapa, noting the social media-related bill currently under consideration in the National Assembly.

Civil society and citizens mobilise

Twenty-two digital rights groups—including Digital Rights Nepal, Freedom Forum, Internet Society Nepal Chapter, and ChildSafeNet—issued a joint statement condemning the shutdown as a “serious attack on fundamental rights and democratic principles.”

Strongly opposing the government’s decision, Former Education Minister and leader of Rastriya Swatantra Party Sumana Shrestha described the government’s decision as a “tyrannical move.”

Celebrities, too, weighed in. Actor Dayahang Rai called the move an “unpopular decision” that would disrupt daily life. Observers described it as a “controlling” step that endangered freedom of expression.

Registration tussle with Meta

At the centre of the standoff is the registration requirement. Ministry spokesperson Gajendra Kumar Thakur said only five platforms had complied so far. Meta officials reportedly sought details of required documents Thursday evening, but New Business Age is yet to verify it.

Minister for Communication and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung said unregistered platforms would be reactivated immediately after they register.

Meanwhile, Hamro Patro, a popular Nepali app which is on the list to face a ban, applied for registration on the same day the shutdown order was announced, reported the state-owned RSS news agency.

A wider debate

Officials argue that stronger oversight is necessary to tackle online crimes, citing the recent bans on Telegram. While TikTok was banned for nine months, Telegram is reportedly in the process of regisration. But critics warn that sweeping measures risk undermining Nepal’s democratic gains. “The government should focus on regulation, not control,” they said.