Explainer: Why Nepal banned social media and what it means for users?
At least 14 people have been reported killed as Nepali police opened fire, used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse a young crowd who tried to break into parliament during a protest today against the ban on social media
Nepal's government last week banned 26 major social media and messaging platforms—including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube—after they failed to comply with newly introduced regulations.
The move stemmed from a legal framework titled "Regulating the Use of Social Media, 2080", passed in 2023.
The law requires all platforms to register with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, appoint a local contact person, and establish systems for self-regulation and grievance redressal.
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A Supreme Court ruling reinforced the measure, directing the government to block unregistered platforms.
14 killed in Nepal's Baneshwar as police open fire during protests against social media ban
On 28 August, the Nepal government issued a seven-day ultimatum, warning that any platform failing to register by 3 September would be deactivated. Most global tech giants, including Meta-owned apps, YouTube, Reddit, and LinkedIn, ignored repeated notices and missed the deadline, prompting the blanket shutdown.
Officials have defended the decision, arguing that social media platforms were increasingly being misused to spread misinformation, commit online fraud through fake accounts, incite hate speech, and threaten social harmony.
Authorities say the ban is meant to ensure accountability and bring Nepal's digital ecosystem under legal oversight.
Some services that complied with the directive, such as TikTok, Viber, WeTalk, Nimbuzz, and Poppo Live, remain accessible. Still, the sudden shutdown has disrupted daily life. Families with members working abroad struggled to stay in touch, businesses reliant on digital marketing suffered losses, and concerns grew over free expression, media freedom, and foreign investment.
Public anger spilled into the streets.
At least 14 people have been reported killed as Nepali police opened fire, used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse a young crowd who tried to break into parliament during a protest today (8 September) against a social media shutdown and alleged government corruption.
