In a sweeping move to enforce national regulations, the Nepali government, led by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, has initiated a block on 26 major social media platforms, including giants like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. This action, which took effect on Thursday, is a result of the platforms' non-compliance with a directive that demanded they register with the government and establish a local presence within the stipulated three-month deadline.

The directive, part of the 2023 Directive on Regulating the Use of Social Media, required all social media platforms operating in Nepal to set up a local liaison office, appoint a grievance officer, and implement self-regulation mechanisms by August 28. However, the deadline passed without compliance from these platforms, prompting the government to enforce the blockade as of September 3.

The decision was made during a ministerial-level meeting chaired by Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung. It aligns with the Supreme Court's directive and prior Cabinet decisions aimed at managing the digital landscape more effectively, ensuring accountability, and curbing misinformation.

Among the platforms affected are YouTube, LinkedIn, Reddit, Discord, and several others. Interestingly, TikTok and Viber remain operational as they had previously registered with the government. The newly blocked platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), which registered only a day after the blockade was implemented, have sparked a wave of online protests and last messages from users lamenting the sudden loss of connectivity and digital freedom.

In response to the government's stringent measures, several writ petitions challenging the blockade have been submitted to the Supreme Court. Although these petitions have been received, they are yet to be officially registered and reviewed, according to Nirajan Pandey, assistant spokesperson for the Supreme Court.

As legal battles loom and public discontent grows, the government remains steadfast in its decision, emphasizing the necessity of these regulations to maintain social order and prevent the spread of fake news. The Social Media Bill 2081, which was registered at the National Assembly on January 28, 2025, aims to further cement these regulations, setting the stage for a transformed digital landscape in Nepal.