Nepal has blocked the main social media platforms, including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and YouTube, after companies have failed to comply with new regulations that required to officially register with Nepalese bodies.
Several social media users report error messages such as “Hmm … something went wrong.” “This site cannot be achieved,” and “Safari cannot connect to the server” when trying to log in through browsers, trigger frustration and speculation online.
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Disruptions come when the authorities are beginning to carry out controversial policy that requires all social media platforms to register with the government to operate in the country.
“I tried to log in to Facebook via Safari and Google Chrome, but it doesn’t work anymore. For now, the mobile app works, but I’m sure it will also darken; it’s just a matter of time,” said Monika Mall, university graduate, nor.
Social media users in Nepal turn to alternative platforms to remain informed in the middle of the ongoing outage. From 22:45 (NPT), services like WhatsApp, Twitter and YouTube continued to work normally.
Why did Nepal ban social media platforms?
Disruption follows on Thursday’s decision to block 26 social media platforms for operation without official registration.
The meeting led by the Minister of Communication and Information Technologies Prithivi Subba Gurung was definitely decided, along with officials of the ministry, representatives of the Nepalese telecommunications office, telecommunications operators and internet service providers.
According to the ministry officials, all unregistered platforms will be limited by immediate effect. The government set a seven -day deadline for compulsory registration, which expired on Wednesday after midnight.
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However, the main platforms of social media, such as meta (Facebook, alphabet, X, Reddit and LinkedIn), have not yet contacted ministries about this process. Officials previously warned that platforms that do not follow would face the gradual suspension of their services in Nepal.
Platforms such as Viber, Tiktok, Wetall and Ni MiMuzz are currently registered, while telegram and global diary in this process. The widely used platforms such as Facebook, Twitter (X) and WhatsApp have to start registration.
This step is governed by the Supreme Court order and the recent ministerial session led by the Minister of Communication Prithvi Subba Gurung. “How does Nepalis live abroad talk to her family and home from today?” The social media user questioned in X after enforcement.
The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology has explained that the restrictions will be valid at nationwide and that any unregistered platforms found in Nepal will also face the same ban. The government stressed that platforms can continue to operate after the registration is completed and ensured compliance with national regulations.
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All other main platforms of social media and communication, including Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Reddit, Discord, Pinterest, Signal, Threads, WeChat, Quora, Tumblr, Clubhouse, Rumble, Rumble, Mi Video Go, Sol and Hamro, we block
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court issued an order Mandamus almost five years after proposals for written petitions were filed to seek restrictions on advertising and content broadcast through unlicensed social media platforms, OTT applications and Internet browsers.
The common bench of Justices Lek Prasad Dhungana and Shanti Singh Thap on Wednesday heard three related petitions together and ruled in favor of the petitioners.
In December 2020, the defenders of BP Gautam and Anita Bajgain filed files requiring unlimited broadcasts, including foreign advertising, through social media platforms.
Similarly, Manoj Gurung, General Secretary of the Nepalese Cable TV Federation, gave a written the same nature.
The Court consolidated cases before the issue of Mandamus and effectively ordered that unlicensed platforms must stop broadcasting advertisements and content without legal permits.
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Last Thursday, the government issued a notice requiring all social media platforms-including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Google and Gmail-, which have not yet registered in Nepal to complete the registration process.
The seven -day ultimatum ended on Wednesday, but no platform operators provided applications for registration in the country. The government has repeatedly issued a notice of request for the platform of social media operating in Nepal, whether from the inside of the country or abroad to register.
The government spokesman and Minister of Communication and Information Technologies Prithvi Subba Gurung, who dealt with the National Assembly of August 19, said that the meta, the parent company Facebook, was repeatedly invited to register in Nepal, but replied that it was not ready to observe non -state laws and institutes.
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According to the Ministry announcement, the operating platforms are obliged to register for the ministry, mark contact points in Nepal, to appoint officials to receive local complaints and assign officials to monitor compliance.
(Tagstotranslate) Nepal
