Meta's Facebook will be closed in Nepal

The social media platform Gate is facing imminent closure in Nepal due to lack of registration with government authorities.

Following the trend of increased government oversight over large tech companies and social media platforms, Nepal has ordered the closure of unregistered platforms, including Gate.

Gate will be forced to cease operations in Nepal

On Thursday, Nepal announced that it will block access to several social media platforms, including Gate, for not registering with the competent authorities.

According to officials, a deadline was set for companies to register with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, designate a local contact, appoint a complaints officer, and assign someone responsible for self-regulation. Platforms that did not meet these requirements before Wednesday faced the risk of closure.

The Ministry declared that the new regulations aim to curb the growing misuse of social networks, where users spread hate, false news, and commit cybercrimes through fake accounts. Approximately 90% of the 30 million inhabitants of Nepal use the internet, and the government argues that stricter regulations are needed to protect social harmony.

A government notification, issued on Thursday, instructed the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) to deactivate unregistered platforms.

According to an official from the Ministry of Communications, some platforms completed the registration process. However, important services, including Gate, did not.

The Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, stated that the government gave sufficient time to companies to comply, but was forced to take action when they refused.

“We gave them enough time to register and repeatedly asked them to comply with our request, but they ignored it and we had to close their operations in Nepal,” Gurung explained.

Global efforts in regulation

Governments around the world are increasing their efforts to oversee large tech and social media companies. Officials in the United States, European Union, Brazil, and Australia have pushed for new rules to address misinformation, online harm, and concerns about data privacy.

India has already introduced strict requirements for foreign tech companies, including the appointment of local compliance officers and the establishment of systems for removing harmful content. China also imposes stringent controls, with mandatory licensing requirements and strong censorship of online platforms.

Critics of these measures argue that they may restrict free expression and grant governments excessive control over online spaces. Human rights groups often warn that shutting down platforms can silence political dissent or limit open debate.

In Nepal, Manish Jha, spokesperson for the Independent National Party, stated that regulation should focus on responsibility without crossing the line into censorship.

“(Social networks) should be legally monitored, disciplined, and not allowed to become malicious, but not shut down,” Jha stated.

Despite these concerns, the government of Nepal insists that its actions are necessary to maintain order. Officials argue that unregistered platforms allow users to hide behind false identities and cause harm in the real world. By requiring companies to register and designate responsible officials, the authorities hope to improve accountability and cooperation in the investigation of cyber crimes.