Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram, possibly WhatsApp… most social media platforms will be blocked in Nepal shortly after this story is published, according to the order issued by the Government of Nepal to the Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA). It goes into effect at midnight on Thursday Nepal time.
Message by the ‘Everest Today’ blog on Facebook.
The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MoCIT) set a seven-day deadline for both foreign and domestic platforms to register under the Social Media Usage Regulation 2080, which expired at midnight, The Himalayan Times reported. Two dozen social media apps, including the most used in the Western world, ignored the notices and are reportedly deactivated in Nepal.
TikTok, Viber, Nimbuzz, WeTalk, and Poppo Live are allowed to operate because they have registered with the government. Telegram and GlobalLink are in the process of registering. The blocking of WhatsApp and Gmail is still being discussed as it is unclear if they can be identified as social media, The Kathmandu Post said.
Confusion for travelers
How will this affect foreigners currently in Nepal? How will expedition companies update their communications, which are widely based on social media, and interact with potential clients abroad? What will happen to the hundreds of climbers and trekkers who are used to posting daily content on Instagram and other platforms? The short reply is, for the time being, we don’t know.
The news apparently came as a surprise to all those involved. Outfitters predict a temporary disruption of social media communication and suggest that their clients contact them by email:
Message by 8K Expeditions on Instagram.
All the messages suggest that the situation will be resolved eventually.
The Kathmandu Post suggests that users in Nepal can turn to VPNs and OpenDNS. But this could increase international bandwidth costs and cut into the revenue of local internet providers.
“Rights groups are expected to raise concerns over freedom of expression in the wake of this broader ban,” the paper says.
Social media use is massive in Nepal, where virtually everyone has a cell phone and uses communication apps daily.
As for us, we will wait and check our usual social media for posts — or the lack of them — coming from Nepal, and look for alternative sources of information, if necessary.
