Nepal Blocks 26 Major Social Media Platforms for Not Registering—Full List Revealed

The Nepalese government has recently banned access to 26 major social media platforms after they failed to register with the government in compliance with a Supreme Court order issued to regulate online content and ensure accountability. The platforms were given a seven-day deadline beginning August 28 to fulfill registration requirements such as appointing local representatives, grievance officers, and officials responsible for self-regulation, but none of the major platforms met these conditions. As a result, on September 4, the Nepal Telecommunications Authority started blocking access across the country.

The full list of blocked social media platforms includes Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Reddit, LinkedIn, Messenger, Snapchat, Discord, Signal, Threads, Quora, Tumblr, Clubhouse, Mastodon, Rumble, MeWe, VK, Line, Imo, Jalo, Sol, Hamro Patro, and Botim. Only a few platforms, such as TikTok, Viber, Witk, Nimbuzz, and Popo Live, have completed the registration process and remain accessible. Telegram and Global Diary have applied and are awaiting approval.

The government spokesperson explained that the ban was necessary to combat issues like misinformation, hate speech, cybercrime, and social disruption caused by unregulated social media use. While authorities say the platforms will be unblocked upon registration, this sudden shutdown has drawn criticism from digital rights advocates and journalists, who say it infringes on freedom of expression and access to information. The Federation of Nepalese Journalists and other civil society groups have urged the government to reconsider, warning of significant disruption to communication, business, and daily life for Nepal’s large internet-using population, which is about 90% of the country’s nearly 30 million people.

This step is part of a broader trend among governments worldwide, including in India, the US, and the EU, aiming to enforce stricter regulation on tech platforms for user protection and national security, though such moves often raise debates about censorship and digital rights. Nepal’s leaders maintain the ban is essential for creating a safer and more accountable digital environment for its citizens.

The ban will remain in force until the platforms comply with the registration requirements set by the Nepalese authorities. Users attempting to access these services may try to use VPNs, but that carries legal and security risks. The government has assured that once platforms register officially, their services will be restored without delay. This digital clampdown marks one of Nepal’s most significant efforts yet to control social media within its borders.