Subhechcha Ganguly 
In a sweeping move, the Nepalese government banned as many as 26 social media platforms — including Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Signal — for failing to comply with new regulations requiring official registration in the country.
The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology said that despite repeated notices, the companies did not register their operations under Nepal’s new rules. As a result, the government imposed a blanket ban on non-compliant platforms.
However, TikTok emerged as the only major social media app still accessible. Unlike other platforms, TikTok, owned by China’s ByteDance, complied with the directive and registered under the new regulations, allowing it to avoid the ban.
This is particularly notable as Nepal had banned TikTok in 2023, citing its alleged role in “disrupting social harmony” and spreading indecent content. At the time, the government had stressed the need for platforms to register, open liaison offices, pay taxes, and follow Nepalese laws to ensure accountability.
The ban triggered widespread protests across Kathmandu. Demonstrators carried placards reading “Shut down corruption, not social media” and “Youths against corruption.” Some protesters clashed with police near Parliament, forcing authorities to impose curfews in parts of the capital. Security forces responded with tear gas, water cannons, and batons to control the crowds.
After an emergency Cabinet meeting, Minister for Communication, Information, and Broadcasting Prithvi Subba Gurung announced that the decision to impose the ban had been withdrawn, citing the government’s willingness to address the demands of Gen-Z users.
Globally, TikTok continues to face scrutiny, with concerns over China’s alleged use of the platform to gather data and expand its influence. Yet in Nepal, its compliance with local laws has allowed it to stay online while other platforms went dark.
