Kathmandu. The government has warned that social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube, Instagram, and X will be banned if they are not listed within the next 30 days. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology issued such an ultimatum in a notification on Thursday, ‘Regulating the Use of Social Media’.

So far, only Viber, TikTok, and BitTalk have been listed and operating with the ministry. The ministry has warned all other social media platforms to get their social media listed within the next 30 days, and to arrange a contact point, a resident complaint hearing officer, and an officer to monitor self-regulation compliance within Nepal.

“Social media platforms that do not get listed within the specified time will be informed of the circumstances under which the ministry may ban their operations in Nepal in accordance with Sub-section (7) of Section 3 of the Directive,” the ministry’s notification said. Section 3 of the Directive on Regulating the Use of Social Media, 2080, stipulates that social media companies must apply for listing with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.

The directive also requires such companies to establish a contact point within Nepal, a resident complaint officer, and an officer to monitor self-regulatory compliance.