Meta issued one-week ultimatum for registration in Nepal

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Apr. 26: Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, has issued an  ultimatum to social media giant Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram, that the platform will face a nationwide ban if it fails to register in Nepal within the next seven days.

Speaking at a departmental-level interaction on the Right to Information organised by the National Information Commission on Friday, Minister Gurung said that the government reached out to Meta three times regarding official registration, but the company showed indifference to registration.  

He termed Meta’s refusal to comply with local laws as a display of disrespect and disregard.

“It is unacceptable for a company to operate a business in Nepal, refusing to adhere to the laws of this country,” the Minister remarked. “We are giving Meta one final week. Either they register, or we will be compelled to shut them down.”

Gurung said that discussions were going on between the ministry officials and Meta representatives at the secretary level to establish a designated point of contact within Nepal.

Unlike Meta, other platforms such as TikTok and Viber have already completed their registration with the ministry. Minister Gurung, who is also government spokesperson, urged all remaining social media platforms to follow suit, emphasising that registration was essential to ensure accountability and responsible digital engagement.

He also underlined the importance of the upcoming Social Media Regulation Bill, currently under consideration in the parliament, as a critical tool to safeguard national integrity and social harmony. 

“Social media must not be a weapon to disrupt social cohesion, promote criminal behaviour, violate privacy and d threaten national sovereignty,” 

he said.

Furthermore, Minister Gurung reiterated the vital role of the Right to Information in strengthening democratic governance and called on the National Information Commission to actively protect this fundamental right. 

He recommended that information seekers clearly identify themselves and their purpose, and that officials maintain a balance between transparency and responsible information sharing.  

"Public servants must be vigilant and ensure the information shared empowers citizens and communities, while also guarding against intermediaries and misuse,” he said.

At the same event, Chief Commissioner of the National Information Commission, Dr. Suresh Prasad Acharya, emphasised the importance of both providing and accessing information as foundational to democracy, transparency, and good governance. He urged government employees and departmental heads to abandon the misconception that sharing public interest information is punishable.

Commissioner Gagan Bista reminded that public bodies could not legally claim incapacity as a reason to withhold information. 

Commissioner Durga Bhandari Paudel added that authorities should avoid treating information requests as personal affronts, and instead foster a more open and accessible environment for citizens.