Kathmandu, Sept 5 (V7N) – Nepal announced on Thursday that it will instruct its telecommunications authority to block access to several major social media platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, X, and LinkedIn, after the companies failed to meet a government registration deadline.

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology had given international tech companies until Wednesday to formally register in Nepal, appoint a local contact person, designate a grievance officer, and identify a representative responsible for content self-regulation. Authorities said the move was aimed at ensuring accountability, compliance with national laws, and improved handling of harmful or illegal online content.

Government officials confirmed that the deadline passed without compliance from the targeted platforms. As a result, the ministry has decided to recommend that the Nepal Telecommunications Authority begin technical measures to restrict user access.

Over the past year, Nepal has expressed growing concerns about unregulated content on global platforms, including misinformation, online fraud, and the spread of harmful material. Officials argue that mandatory registration and the presence of local representatives are necessary to address these issues effectively.

While authorities have not yet specified the exact timeline for implementing the block, the move could have a wide impact on millions of Nepali users who rely on these platforms for communication, business, and entertainment.

Digital rights groups, however, have warned that such measures risk curbing freedom of expression and limiting access to global digital networks.

This latest decision places Nepal alongside a growing number of countries seeking stricter regulation of social media platforms, often citing security, accountability, and digital sovereignty as the main concerns.

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