KATHMANDU: The Government of Nepal has instructed the Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA) to block unregistered social media platforms in the country, after most major national and international platforms—including Facebook, X, Instagram, WhatsApp, Reddit, and LinkedIn—failed to complete the mandatory registration process.

The move comes after a Supreme Court directive requiring all online and social media platforms—whether domestic or international—to be officially registered before providing services in Nepal. The Court ruling, issued in a contempt case (Case No. 080-CF-0012), also stressed that platforms must actively monitor and curb the spread of harmful or undesirable content.

Earlier, the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MoCIT) set a seven-day deadline, under the Social Media Usage Regulation, 2080, for platforms to complete their registration. That deadline expired on Thursday at midnight.

So far, TikTok, Viber, Nimbuzz, WeTalk, and OpolLive have registered successfully, while Telegram and GlobalLink remain in the process. The MoCIT has stated that unregistered platforms will be deactivated immediately within Nepal, whereas registered ones will continue normal operations or be reactivated without delay.

Officials said the policy is designed to create greater accountability in the digital space.

If enforced strictly, the move could significantly reshape how Nepalis use popular social apps, while also opening discussions about digital rights, online safety, and the future of internet regulation in the country.