The messaging app Telegram, which was banned in Nepal in July over its alleged use in online fraud and money laundering, has formally applied for registration with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology.

According to the ministry, Telegram has applied for registration, and the application will be reviewed within this week. The government imposed the ban on July 18, instructing all telecom and internet service providers to block access to the platform. The Nepal Telecommunications Authority, the country’s telecom regulator, issued the directive to service providers.

Joint Secretary Gajendra Kumar Thakur, who is also the ministry’s spokesperson, said the Telegram has submitted the required documents to register in Nepal.

Following the ban, Telegram’s representative Sandeep Yadav arrived in Nepal and assured the government that the company would comply with Nepal’s social media regulations.

“Our goal is not to permanently block any app,” Thakur said. “We hold no hostility towards any platform. Telegram has now come forward to register and has committed to complying with Nepal’s regulations. A final decision will be announced this week.”

He said that Telegram initiated the registration process only after receiving the authority’s notice about the ban.

There are currently 1.1 million Telegram users in Nepal. Police have reported a recent surge in online fraud cases on the platform. Deepak Raj Awasthi, spokesperson for the Nepal Police Cyber Bureau, said Telegram is often used to lure people with investment schemes promising quick profits.

“Since the app allows users to hide their phone numbers, fraudsters exploit this feature, making it difficult for police to trace them,” he said.

As many as 27 organisations advocating digital rights and freedom of expression criticised Telegram’s ban. They argued that such restrictions directly harm Nepal’s growing digital economy, small businesses, and technology-based services. The groups also described the ban as a serious violation of freedom of expression and citizens’ rights, expressing strong disapproval of the decision.

Alongside Telegram, the Global View app has also submitted a registration application. The ministry stated that its Social Media Management Unit will decide on both applications by Friday. Five social media platforms are registered in Nepal, with Viber and TikTok being the largest.

Spokesperson Thakur said TikTok had previously been banned, but the suspension was lifted after the company agreed to comply with the regulations.

He added that the Supreme Court recently ruled that all social media platforms must register in Nepal. The ministry is now seeking legal advice on formally notifying platforms about the court order.

“In the past, companies like Meta argued that Nepal had no specific law mandating registration,” Thakur said. “Now, with the Supreme Court’s order carrying the force of law, all platforms must register under the framework.”

He added that enforcing the Supreme Court’s decision is the government’s responsibility, and allowing apps to operate without registration would cast doubt on the government’s authority.

The ministry is preparing to proceed after consultations with stakeholders. With Telegram now in the registration process, officials expect other platforms to follow.