In a bold move that has stirred controversy, Nepal's government announced plans to block major social media platforms, including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, and others, after they failed to comply with new registration requirements.
The government's action aims to curb online hate, cybercrime, and misinformation, which have been growing concerns within the country.
Under the new regulations, all foreign social media companies were given a deadline to register with Nepal's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, provide a local contact, and establish a grievance mechanism.
Those who failed to meet the deadline would face a shutdown.
"Unregistered social media platforms will be deactivated from today onwards," said Gajendra Kumar Thakur, the Ministry's spokesperson, to AFP. Platforms like Meta (which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp), Alphabet (owner of YouTube), X, Reddit, and LinkedIn were all asked to comply by Wednesday's deadline.
The move comes after a directive earlier this year requiring foreign platforms to set up a local presence in Nepal, with only five platforms—such as TikTok and Viber—fully complying so far. Critics argue that the government's decision to abruptly shut down these platforms infringes on citizens' fundamental rights to free speech and access to information. Bhola Nath Dhungana, president of Digital Rights Nepal, said to Al Jazeera that while regulation is necessary, "a sudden closure like this is controlling."
This is not the first time Nepal has restricted access to online platforms. Last year, it lifted a ban on TikTok after the platform agreed to adhere to Nepali regulations. Nepal also blocked the Telegram messaging app in July, citing concerns over fraud and money laundering.
While the government insists that the shutdown is crucial for national security and public safety, digital rights groups worry it could lead to increased censorship. This crackdown on social media is part of a broader global trend, with countries like India and Brazil also tightening their grip on online platforms.
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