Nepal Blocks Social Media Across the Board! Citizens Turn to TikTok, Companies Face Dilemma: Register or Withdraw, the "Turning Point" for 26 Platforms

1) What Happened—26 "Unregistered" Services Targeted Simultaneously

On September 4th (local time), Nepal's Ministry of Information and Communication ordered the telecommunications regulatory authority (NTA) to block 26 unregistered SNS and OTT services. The targets include Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Reddit, Discord, among others, and telecom operators and ISPs are implementing the blocks in stages. Platforms that complete registration are said to be able to restore their services sequentially. TechCrunchKathmandu Post

2) The Government's "Four-Point Set"—Registration, Local Contact, Complaint Handling, Self-Regulation

Based on the 2023 "Social Media Operation Guidelines," the government demanded compliance with (1) domestic registration, (2) a local contact person, (3) a complaint handling office, and (4) the establishment of a self-regulation officer. A seven-day grace period was given in a notice at the end of August, but many major companies were slow to respond. The Minister of Communications explained that "sufficient time was given" and indicated a policy to restore services after registration. TechCrunch

3) The Supreme Court's Position—Mandate Approved, But Did Not Directly Order "Blocking"

The Supreme Court's ruling, published in early September, justified the "registration and supervision" of online/social media. However, it did not directly order "immediate blocking of unregistered services," but rather encouraged the government to make appropriate arrangements within the legal framework, according to local newspapers. In other words, it endorsed the direction of regulation while leaving room for political discretion in implementation. Kathmandu Post

4) Implementation on the Ground—Telecom Companies Implement "Phased Blocking," Traffic Management is DNS/IP-Based

Major telecom and ISPs are proceeding with blocking in stages based on NTA's instructions. Technical teams are formed to extract IPs and block at the DNS level, leading to a transitional period where visibility varies by region and line. One mobile company is wary of the impact on revenue, as nearly half of its traffic is SNS-derived. Kathmandu Postmyrepublica.nagariknetwork.com

5) Which Services "Survived"—TikTok and Viber Are Registered

Exceptions to the block include platforms like TikTok and Viber, which are already registered. In 2024, there was a "back-and-forth" regarding the ban and lifting of TikTok, but this time service continuation is permitted based on compliance with procedures. TechCrunchKathmandu Post

6) "Pain Points" for Citizens Seen from Usage Reality

Estimates from NTA and Statcounter suggest that Nepal's internet penetration rate is over 90%. In SNS usage, Facebook is dominant, with X and YouTube also having a certain reach. The suspension of these "life infrastructure" services directly impacts information access, learning, small businesses, and cross-border family communication. TechCrunch

7) Perspectives of International Media and Human Rights Groups—A Cold Wind on "Freedom of Expression"

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) criticized the move, saying it "significantly hinders journalists' activities and people's access to information." Access Now warned that the structure is akin to China's "Great Firewall." While the government cites measures against hate, fraud, and misinformation, concerns remain about transparency and the weakness of appeal procedures. TechCrunchCommittee to Protect Journalists

8) Domestic Reactions—Calls for Reconsideration from Ruling and Opposition Parties and Public Institutions

Nepal's National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) expressed "serious concern" and requested a review. Politicians from both ruling and opposition parties voiced concerns that it violates citizens' fundamental rights and democracy. An appeal challenging the government's decision has also been submitted to the Supreme Court (awaiting acceptance). Kathmandu PostSetopati

9) "Voices on SNS" Digest—Citizens, Businesses, and Policy Authorities

• Local Users/Small Businesses: Channels on Instagram and WhatsApp halted, prompting a swift shift to TikTok and Viber for promotions and contacts. Temporary delays due to network congestion were also reported. Kathmandu Post

• Policy Authorities: The Ministry of Information and Communication's press briefing stated, "We repeatedly requested but they did not comply. Services will be restored upon registration." A PDF notice of the blocking order was also made public. TechCrunch

• Platform Side: X showed interest in the registration process, and the domestic SNS Hamro Patro submitted application documents. Meta reportedly had informal inquiries but no official letter yet. Kathmandu Post

• Local Media and Civil Society: Continued reporting on the expansion of confusion and backlash. International media also highlighted the issue with international comparisons of registration mandates. Al JazeeraAP News

10) Future Scenarios—Is "Restoration with Procedure Compliance" Practically Possible?

The government has stated that "services will be restored upon registration," but the administrative burden of registration, license acquisition, updates, appointment of local representatives, operational costs, considerations for freedom of expression, and transparent appeal processes all serve as factors for international companies to consider. While phased restoration seems plausible, options such as complete withdrawal or function limitation (partial suspension of advertising and monetization) may also be on the table. TechCrunchCommittee to Protect Journalists

11) "Regulatory Trends" Seen in Regional Comparisons

In countries like India, the EU, Australia, and Brazil, there is a push for strengthening measures such as establishing local offices, rapid removal systems, and fines. Nepal's mass blocking is internationally noted as an extreme application of such measures. The key points in system design are (1) transparent order disclosure, (2) procedures that are swift but difficult to abuse, (3) the effectiveness of judicial review, and (4) the establishment of a consultation process with businesses and civil society. Al Jazeera

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