Millions of users in Nepal experienced an unexpected social media blackout on Thursday after the government blocked 23 major platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, and LinkedIn. The move follows the expiry of a registration deadline set by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, which none of the companies met. The Nepal Telecommunications Authority has been instructed to enforce the ban from midnight, affecting users and local content creators across the country.
Nepal Social Media Ban 2025
Over seven million Nepalis living abroad will face communication challenges with family and friends. Local creators risk losing revenue as Facebook’s monetisation programmes are interrupted. The Federation of Nepal Journalists criticised the ban, calling it a violation of press freedom and citizens’ right to information. Authorities have yet to receive any response from the blocked platforms.
