The government has imposed a ban on Facebook and other major social media platforms that failed to register with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology within the given deadline.

On Thursday, the ministry directed the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) to block access to all platforms that did not comply with the registration process mandated under the Directives for Managing the Use of Social Networks, 2023.

The move follows a directive order issued by the Supreme Court, which instructed the government to ensure all online and social platforms—domestic or foreign—are officially listed before operating in Nepal, so that unwanted content can be monitored.

According to the ministry’s notice, companies were given seven days from August 28 to apply for listing. The deadline expired on Wednesday night, with none of the large global platforms—including Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp), Alphabet (YouTube), X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, and LinkedIn—submitting applications.

In contrast, TikTok, Viber, Witk, Nimbuzz, and Popo Live have already been listed, while Telegram and Global Diary have applied and are awaiting approval.

“Except for the five listed platforms and two in the process, all others will be deactivated inside Nepal,” said ministry spokesperson Gajendra Kumar Thakur. “Any platform completing registration will be reopened the same day.”

The decision was finalised at a meeting of the ministry, the NTA, telecom operators, and internet service providers, chaired by Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung. Officials confirmed that the ban will be enforced from Thursday midnight.

The government’s move has invited political backlash. Hit Raj Pandey, chief whip of CPN (Maoist Centre), the main opposition party in parliament, said the decision was objectionable and warned that shutting down social media could throw the country into disarray. Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Pandey accused the government of failing to prepare a workable environment for registration and of curbing freedom of expression.

“Regulation is necessary, but the government must first identify what the problem is and where it lies,” Pandey said. “If social media is shut down, the country will become chaotic. We oppose this decision.”

Critics warn the blanket ban could disrupt communication, commerce, and public life, given the dominance of Facebook, YouTube, and WhatsApp in Nepal. The government, however, maintains that stricter regulation is essential to curb harmful content and ensure accountability of tech companies operating in the country.