Nepal government shuts down 26 major social media platforms

Nepal has blocked Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and more than two dozen other major social media and messaging platforms after accusing them of failing to comply with government regulations.

The ban, which took effect at midnight Thursday, affects services including X, Reddit, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Signal, with only a few platforms, such as TikTok, remaining accessible after complying with registration requirements.

The government, led by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, said the move was necessary after all companies failed to register under Nepal’s new social media laws. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology stated it had given the platforms seven days to comply following a court order. When they failed, the ministry issued an order to “deactivate” the sites.

The shutdown caused widespread disruption over the weekend, hitting businesses and Nepal’s crucial tourism industry, which relies on social media to reach clients both locally and abroad. Many Nepalese citizens also rely on these platforms to communicate with family members living overseas.

Human rights and press freedom groups have condemned the move. Dozens of journalists gathered in Kathmandu on Sunday to protest, holding signs reading “No shutdown of social networks, no silencing of voices,” “Freedom of expression is our right,” and “Democracy hacked, authoritarianism back.”

The international NGO Committee to Protect Journalists warned the ban sets a “dangerous precedent for press freedom.”

Prime Minister Oli defended the restrictions, saying he would not tolerate actions that undermine the nation. “The independence of the nation is greater than the loss of jobs of a handful of individuals. How can it be acceptable to defy the law, disregard the constitution, and disrespect national dignity, independence, and sovereignty?” he said in a Sunday speech.

Critics say the ban signals a growing overreach by the Oli government. Nepal has historically maintained broad freedom of expression, though TikTok was temporarily banned for nine months in 2023 over concerns about hate speech and cybercrime before being reinstated after registration compliance.

Parliament is currently debating a series of draft bills that could allow the government to impose fines or jail terms for content deemed against the “national interest,” shut down newspapers, and revoke journalist licenses, raising concerns over press freedom in the country.