Nepal to ban unregistered social media from today

The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology has decided to block social media platforms, including Facebook, that are not registered in Nepal starting today. The decision was made in a meeting led by Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung.

Earlier, on August 25, the Cabinet had instructed all social media operating in Nepal to complete registration within a week. Since the platforms ignored the order, the ministry decided to stop their operation.

Minister Gurung said that only registered platforms will be allowed to run in Nepal. The implementation has been handed over to the Nepal Telecommunications Authority.

The government had introduced the Social Media Directive 2080 to regulate online platforms after misuse of social media increased. The directive requires platforms to register within three months and renew every three years. It also allows the government to shut down any unregistered platforms.

The ministry had already called on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter (X), LinkedIn, and others to register by 28 August , 2025. However, officials confirmed that no formal applications were received by Wednesday midnight.