festive season

The Nepalese government announced a shutdown of 26 unregistered social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and WhatsApp, following a Cabinet decision that mandated all social media operators register within a week. The shutdown is based on a directive from the Ministry of Communication and a Supreme Court ruling that required social media platforms to register and comply with local regulations. Many users expressed their frustration on social media, and there was a significant increase in downloads of alternative messaging apps like Viber. The government stated that discussions with social media companies had not led to compliance, prompting the decision to block these platforms. Digital rights advocates criticized the government's approach, suggesting that regulatory frameworks should be pursued through parliamentary legislation instead. Social media accounts for nearly 80 percent of total internet traffic in Nepal, with 13.5 million active Facebook users. The sudden ban has raised concerns among small business owners who rely on these platforms for marketing. Previous platform bans in Nepal have seen reversals, indicating a pattern of temporary shutdowns.