KATHMANDU: Sep 5, Various internet service providers in Nepal have begun blocking social media apps and websites following a directive issued on Thursday by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. The directive calls for a ban on operating unregistered social media and Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms.
The Internet Service Providers Association of Nepal (ISPAN), the umbrella organization of internet service providers, stated that it has instructed all its members to comply with the government's directive.
ISPAN Chief Executive Officer Subash Khadka confirmed that the process of blocking URLs has already begun in accordance with the order.
NTA seeks clarification from internet service providers for all...
WorldLink Communications, one of Nepal’s leading internet service providers, clarified that social media platforms not registered in Nepal will no longer be accessible through its services.
A ministerial-level meeting chaired by Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, on Thursday made the decision to ban unregistered social media apps. The decision is being swiftly implemented through a directive issued by the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) to all internet service providers.
As a result, some of the most widely used platforms in NepalInternet Service Providers Gradually Start Blocking Unregistered Social Media
KATHMANDU: Sep 5
Various internet service providers in Nepal have begun blocking social media apps and websites following a directive issued on Thursday by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. The directive calls for a ban on operating unregistered social media and Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms.
The Internet Service Providers Association of Nepal (ISPAN), the umbrella organization of internet service providers, stated that it has instructed all its members to comply with the government's directive.
ISPAN Chief Executive Officer Subash Khadka confirmed that the process of blocking URLs has already begun in accordance with the order.
WorldLink Communications, one of Nepal’s leading internet service providers, clarified that social media platforms not registered in Nepal will no longer be accessible through its services. Similarly, CG Net has also started blocking certain apps, including Facebook. Ncell, a major mobile service provider, has also noticed that some apps, including Facebook, are no longer operational on its network.
The government’s action comes in the wake of a directive issued by the Supreme Court. On August 25, a division bench of Justices Tek Prasad Dhungana and Shanti Singh Thapa, while hearing a contempt of court case, ordered the government to ensure that all social media platforms operating in Nepal be registered with a competent authority. The court emphasized that such regulation was necessary to monitor harmful content, ensure accountability, and require foreign platforms broadcasting advertisements in Nepal to obtain official permission. have started going offline.
