Why Nepal govt imposed social media ban that sparked stunning protests: Explained

The stunning protests in kingdom of nepal that claimed multiple lives on mon add up after the regime directed net service providers to block access to several major social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and X, last week.

The sites and apps went dark starting September 5 as the companies that own them failed to comply with new local registration rules.

It was on Thursday that Nepal's ministry for communication and information technology asked the regulating authority to instruct service providers to restrict access to 26 platforms.

The list included Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, YouTube, X, Discord, Reddit, WeChat and Snapchat.

The government had earlier given foreign platforms seven days to register their operations in Nepal and appoint a local contact person, but many did not comply.

The government move follows a Supreme Court ruling last month that upheld the requirement for social media platforms to register locally as a way to address misinformation. However, the court did not explicitly call for a ban. It only directed the government to create legal arrangements within the law.

According to the Nepal Telecommunications Authority, internet penetration in the country is above 90 percent. Figures from Statcounter suggest that Facebook is the most used social media platform in Nepal with 87 percent share, followed by X at 6 percent and YouTube at 5 percent.

Civil society groups and media organisations have criticised the restrictions. The Committee to Protect Journalists said the decision would hinder journalists’ ability to report and limit people’s access to information. The Federation of Nepali Journalists also described the measure as undermining citizens’ right to information.

Access Now, a global digital rights group, said the block was troubling and compared it to censorship practices in China. Raman Jit Singh Chima, Asia Pacific policy director at the organisation, said Nepal should publish blocking orders and restore access, while shifting to transparent and consultative legislation. He added that the government’s order gives authorities sweeping powers to suspend services and pressure companies to remove lawful content, which could result in over-blocking.

Communication and Information Technology Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung said platforms had been given ample time to register but failed to do so despite repeated reminders. Meta, Google and Snap did not respond to requests for comment.

The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology said access would be restored once platforms register in Nepal. TikTok and Viber remain unaffected, as both services have already completed the registration process.

The decision comes as Nepal debates a proposed social media bill that could introduce fines and imprisonment for content deemed against national interest. The bill has drawn criticism from journalists’ organisations, who argue it threatens press freedom and digital expression. The government maintains it does not intend to restrict free speech.

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