Nepal Social Media Ban List – Full Details of the 26 Apps Banned in 2025

The Nepal Social Media Ban List 2025 reflects the government’s firm stance on regulating global tech giants within its borders. While it has sparked debate, the move underlines the country’s effort to enforce digital accountability and sovereignty. Whether these bans are temporary or long-term will depend on how quickly companies comply with Nepal’s registration laws.Nepal has taken a bold step by banning 26 popular social media apps for operating without registering with the government. The decision was made after a high-level meeting chaired by Communication and Information Technology Minister Prithivi Subba Gurung, alongside officials from the Nepal Telecommunication Authority, telecom operators, and internet service providers.The government had set a seven-day deadline for mandatory registration, which expired last week. Since many platforms failed to comply, apps like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter) were banned with immediate effect. Interestingly, some apps like Viber, TikTok, Wetalk, and Nimbuzz were exempt as they had completed registration. Others such as Telegram are still in the process of getting approval.

Key Highlights of Nepal Social Media Ban List

Event	Details
Decision Taken By	Ministry of Communication & Information Technology
Key Minister Involved	Prithivi Subba Gurung
Reason for Ban	Failure to register with Nepalese Government
Deadline for Registration	7 days (expired last week)
Total Apps Banned	26
Exempted Apps	Viber, TikTok, Wetalk, Nimbuzz
Under Registration	Telegram, Global Diary
Prime Minister’s Statement	“National independence is greater than the loss of jobs of a handful of individuals.”

List of 26 Banned Social Media Apps in Nepal

• Facebook
• Messenger
• Instagram
• YouTube
• WhatsApp
• X (formerly Twitter)
• LinkedIn
• Snapchat
• Reddit
• Discord
• Pinterest
• Signal
• Threads
• WeChat
• Quora
• Tumblr
• Clubhouse
• Mastodon
• Rumble
• VK
• Line
• IMO
• Zalo
• Soul
• Hamro Patro
• BeReal (reported by some sources)

Why Did Nepal Ban Social Media Apps?

According to the Kathmandu Post, the ban was introduced because several major platforms failed to comply with the directive to register locally.The government has repeatedly urged social media companies to set up offices in Nepal and follow its laws. Despite many warnings, companies did not take steps to formalize operations, leading to this decision.Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli defended the move, emphasizing that national independence and sovereignty must come before business or individual interests.

Impact of the Ban

This ban directly affects millions of social media users in Nepal who rely on these platforms for communication, entertainment, and business. While critics argue it limits freedom, the government insists the move is necessary to regulate digital platforms and protect national interests.Businesses that heavily depend on apps like Facebook Ads or Instagram Marketing may face significant challenges until clarity on registration is provided.