Nepal Orders Shutdown of Unregistered Social Media Platforms Including Meta’s Facebook

Nepal has escalated its oversight of big tech companies by mandating the shutdown of unregistered social media platforms. The government's directive specifically targets Meta's Facebook, alongside other services that failed to comply with new registration requirements.

Authorities set a Wednesday deadline for platforms to register with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, appoint local representatives, and establish mechanisms for content moderation. The MOVE aims to address concerns over hate speech, misinformation, and cybercrime proliferating through anonymous accounts.

While TikTok, Viber, and several smaller platforms completed registration, Meta's suite of services—including WhatsApp and Instagram—remains non-compliant. With internet penetration exceeding 90% among Nepal's 30 million citizens, the government emphasizes these measures as necessary for maintaining social stability.