Social media registration in Nepal has become one of the country's most significant digital governance developments. Under the Directive on Regulating the Use of Social Media, 2080 (2023), the Government of Nepal requires all social media platforms — both domestic and foreign — to formally register with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MoCIT) before operating in the country. In September 2025, Nepal enforced this requirement by banning 26 unregistered platforms including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and X, affecting millions of users and thousands of businesses. This guide covers the legal framework, registration process, compliance requirements, penalties, tax obligations, and the proposed Social Media Act that could reshape Nepal's digital landscape.
Nepal's social media regulation is governed by multiple laws and directives:
| Law / Directive | Year | Key Provisions |
|---|---|---|
| Social Media Directives (DMSM, 2080) | 2023 | Mandatory registration, content moderation, local representation |
| Electronic Transactions Act, 2063 | 2008 | Cybercrimes, digital transactions, penalties |
| Privacy Act, 2075 | 2018 | Personal data protection and privacy rights |
| Social Media Act (Bill), 2081 | Pending | Licensing framework, penalties up to NPR 3 lakhs / 2 years |
| NTA directives | Ongoing | Platform blocking enforcement orders |
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| November 27, 2023 | Social Media Directives, 2080 enacted by MoCIT |
| September 9, 2024 | Supreme Court verdict (Case No. 080-CF-0012) mandating platform registration |
| August 17, 2025 | Full text of Supreme Court verdict released publicly |
| August 28, 2025 | MoCIT issues 7-day ultimatum for all unregistered platforms |
| September 4, 2025 | NTA directs ISPs to block 26 unregistered platforms |
| September 9, 2025 | Ban enforced — Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, X blocked |
All social media platforms operating in Nepal must register — regardless of whether they are domestic or foreign, large or small. The registration requirement applies to platforms that provide social networking, messaging, content sharing, or communication services to users in Nepal. This includes Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, X (Twitter), TikTok, Snapchat, LinkedIn, Messenger, and any other platform accessible to Nepali users. New platforms must register before starting operations.
Under the Social Media Directives, platforms must meet the following requirements:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Registration authority | Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MoCIT) |
| Application submission | Online (snru@mocit.gov.np) or physical at MoCIT Kathmandu |
| Liaison office | Physical office presence in Nepal — mandatory for foreign platforms |
| Point of Contact | Designated person for government coordination |
| Grievance Handling Officer | Resident officer for user complaints — based in Nepal |
| Compliance Officer | Monitors self-regulation and content moderation |
| Licensing | Obtain license within 3 months of registration; renew every 3 years |
| Content moderation | Remove prohibited content within 24 hours of complaint |
| Data compliance | Comply with Privacy Act and data privacy laws |
| Step | Action | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prepare legal, financial, and operational documents | 1–2 weeks |
| 2 | Establish liaison office in Nepal | 2–3 weeks |
| 3 | Appoint Point of Contact, Grievance Officer, Compliance Officer | Concurrent |
| 4 | Submit application to MoCIT (online or physical) | 1 day |
| 5 | MoCIT Social Media Management Unit reviews application | 1–2 weeks |
| 6 | Registration approved — platform enlisted | Upon approval |
| 7 | Obtain operating license | Within 3 months |
Nepal has demonstrated willingness to enforce penalties. In September 2025, 26 platforms were simultaneously blocked. Penalties include: immediate operational ban enforced through NTA directing ISPs to block access, legal action under the Electronic Transactions Act, financial fines, potential criminal liability for platform operators, and long-term market access restrictions. Under the proposed Social Media Act (Bill) 2081, penalties could include up to NPR 3 lakhs fine or 2 years imprisonment.
Foreign social media platforms operating in Nepal must comply with tax obligations including a 2% Digital Service Tax on revenue from Nepali customers, VAT registration (13% standard rate) if annual turnover exceeds the threshold, registration with the Inland Revenue Department, and regular tax return filing. Platforms must obtain a PAN card and maintain proper accounting records for their Nepal operations.
The Directives prohibit content that threatens national sovereignty, security, or territorial integrity; spreads hate speech or communal disharmony; publishes obscene or sexually explicit material; promotes fake news, misinformation, or disinformation; facilitates financial fraud or cybercrime; involves impersonation or identity theft; or undermines public order. Platforms must remove such content within 24 hours of receiving a complaint or government notification. For cybercrime provisions, see our guide on cybercrime law in Nepal.
The Social Media Act (Bill), 2081 would replace the current directives with a comprehensive licensing framework. Key proposed provisions include mandatory licensing for all platforms (not just registration), government authority to refuse or revoke licenses on national security grounds, establishment of a Department to enforce the Act, penalties for hate speech and impersonation (up to NPR 3 lakhs or 2 years imprisonment), and provisions for blocking unlicensed platforms. The bill has faced criticism from international organizations including UNESCO and the International Federation of Journalists for potentially restricting freedom of expression and press freedom.
The Supreme Court of Nepal strengthened the registration framework through its verdict in Case No. 080-CF-0012 (September 2024, full text released August 2025). The Court explicitly directed that all online and social media platforms — domestic or foreign — must be mandatorily registered with the competent authority before operation, and that mechanisms must be in place to evaluate and monitor undesirable content. This judicial backing gave MoCIT the authority to enforce the 7-day registration ultimatum and subsequent platform bans.
The September 2025 ban directly impacted millions of Nepali users and thousands of businesses that rely on social media for marketing, sales, and customer communication. Social media accounts for nearly 80% of Nepal's internet traffic, with approximately 13.5 million Facebook users, 10.85 million Messenger users, and 3.6 million Instagram users. Small business owners, e-commerce sellers, and content creators faced immediate disruption. Businesses should diversify their digital presence across multiple platforms and maintain alternative communication channels to mitigate the impact of future enforcement actions.
While Nepal Divorce Services is Nepal's first specialized divorce and family law firm, our legal team also advises on digital compliance and business regulatory matters. We can assist with understanding social media registration requirements, establishing liaison offices, navigating MoCIT compliance, and advising on the intersection of digital governance and business law.
For legal assistance, contact us at +977 9841114443 or on WhatsApp.
| Topic | Guide |
|---|---|
| Electronic Transactions Act | Electronic Transactions Act in Nepal |
| Cybercrime law | Cybercrime Law in Nepal |
| Data privacy | Data Privacy Law in Nepal |
| VAT law | VAT Law in Nepal |
| PAN registration | PAN Card Registration in Nepal |
| Company registration | Company Registration in Nepal |
Social media registration is the mandatory legal process requiring all social media platforms operating in Nepal to register with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MoCIT). Under the Social Media Directives, 2023 (Directive on Regulating the Use of Social Media, 2080), platforms must formally enlist, appoint local representatives, and comply with Nepal's digital governance requirements. Failure to register can result in operational bans.
In September 2025, Nepal banned 26 unregistered social media platforms — including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and X — for failing to comply with the 7-day registration deadline issued by MoCIT on August 28, 2025. The action followed a Supreme Court directive (Case No. 080-CF-0012) mandating all social media platforms to register with the competent authority. The ban was enforced through the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA), which instructed internet service providers to block access.
As of 2025, platforms that have registered or initiated the registration process include TikTok (among the first to register), Hamro Patro (applied September 4, 2025), and several other domestic platforms. Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger) contacted Nepali officials expressing willingness to comply after the ban. YouTube and X were not registered at the time of the ban. The list of registered platforms is updated by MoCIT.
Platforms submit a registration application to MoCIT either online (email: snru@mocit.gov.np) or physically at the Ministry office in Kathmandu. Required steps include:
Processing typically takes 2–3 weeks.
Under the Social Media Directives, 2023, platforms must:
The main laws are:
The Social Media Act (Bill), 2081 is proposed legislation that would replace the current directives with a comprehensive licensing framework. Key provisions include: mandatory licensing for all platforms, government authority to refuse or revoke licenses on national security grounds, penalties up to NPR 3 lakhs fine or 2 years imprisonment for violations, and provisions against hate speech, impersonation, and misinformation. The bill has faced criticism from press freedom organizations for potentially restricting freedom of expression.
Non-compliance with social media registration results in:
As demonstrated in September 2025, Nepal enforces these penalties — 26 platforms were simultaneously blocked.
Yes. Foreign social media platforms must:
A liaison office is a physical presence that foreign social media platforms must establish in Nepal to handle government coordination, user grievances, law enforcement requests, and compliance monitoring. The office must have a designated Point of Contact, a Grievance Handling Officer, and a Compliance Officer — all based in Nepal. This requirement makes platforms directly accountable to Nepali authorities.
The Social Media Directives prohibit content that: threatens national sovereignty or security, spreads hate speech or communal disharmony, publishes obscene or sexually explicit material, promotes fake news or misinformation, facilitates fraud or financial crimes, involves impersonation or identity theft, or undermines public order. Platforms must remove such content within 24 hours of receiving a complaint or government notification.
The registration process typically takes 2–3 weeks for liaison office establishment, plus additional time for Ministry enlistment and compliance setup. New platforms must register before starting operations in Nepal. For existing platforms, the government has issued 7-day ultimatums for compliance, with immediate bans for non-compliance.
Registration requirements apply to platforms (companies), not individual users. However, individual users are subject to cybercrime laws and the Electronic Transactions Act for publishing prohibited content, spreading misinformation, impersonation, and other offences. Users who violate these laws can face fines and imprisonment.
Small businesses, e-commerce sellers, and content creators who rely on social media for marketing and sales are indirectly affected when platforms are banned. During the September 2025 ban, many Nepali businesses lost access to Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp — their primary sales channels. Businesses should diversify their digital presence and maintain alternative communication channels.
A lawyer can assist platforms with: preparing and filing registration applications with MoCIT, establishing liaison offices in Nepal, appointing local representatives, drafting compliance policies and grievance mechanisms, navigating tax registration with IRD, and responding to government content removal requests. Contact Nepal Divorce Services at +977 9841114443 for legal assistance.
At Nepal Divorce Services, Nepal's first specialized divorce law firm, we understand that taking the first step toward divorce can feel overwhelming. Our experienced divorce lawyers are here to guide you through the legal process and help you move forward with confidence and clarity.
Whether you're inside or outside Nepal and need assistance with filing a divorce case, our services are accessible worldwide. Contact us at +977 9841114443, on WhatsApp, or Viber.
