Kathmandu – Within 24 hours of Nepal’s decision to block unregistered social media platforms, only two companies—Hamro Patro and X (formerly Twitter)—contacted the government to begin the registration process. Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) showed informal interest but hasn’t submitted official documents.

On Wednesday, the deadline for registration under the Directive on Regulating the Use of Social Media, 2023 expired. The government responded by directing ISPs and telecom operators to block 26 major platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, X, LinkedIn, and more.

Nepal Telecom and Ncell began implementing the ban, leading to widespread disruptions. The Internet Service Provider Association of Nepal (ISPAN) is working to block platforms through IP and DNS filtering, though full enforcement may take days.

The ban has drawn heavy criticism from civil society, journalists, rights groups, political parties—including ruling coalition members—and the National Human Rights Commission, which warned it could violate fundamental rights.

Social media accounts for nearly 80% of internet traffic in Nepal. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram are critical for small businesses, especially during the festive season. Some users and businesses have shifted to TikTok and Viber, causing temporary server slowdowns.

The move follows previous bans on TikTok and Telegram, both later reversed after compliance. Officials argue the current enforcement aligns with a Supreme Court directive, requiring platforms to register, appoint local reps, and obtain a license.