The government has again urged all social networking platforms to join the registration process in the country.
Issuing a press statement on Sunday, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has urged all social networking sites to get registered in Nepal adding that the government was committed to ensuring a systematic and accountable digital environment, upholding the right to freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution of Nepal.
Ministry's Spokesperson and Joint Secretary Gajendra Thakur has urged all the social networking platforms to get enlisted in Nepal by naming a focal point, residential grievance handling official or officials to abide by the self-regulation.
Thakur also mentioned that no cost is charged for getting enlisted and the social networking sites will be reactivated after their enlistment.
The Ministry has mentioned that the social networks should be run by adhering to Nepal's law.
The government has emphasized the need that social media platforms cannot be operated by going beyond legal provisions, while underscoring the importance of their registration.
According to the Ministry, the Smart Idea Private Limited (Hamro Patro) and Global Diary Private Limited were reactivated following their registration.
Likewise, social sites Twitter ( X) and Wechat have communicated with the officials for the listing process.
Furthermore, the Ministry has urged one and all not to use unsafe, unofficial and risky virtual private networks (VPN) meant to access the deactivated social networking platforms.
The officials said that systematic operation of the social media platforms helps secure national interests.
Earlier, the Nepal Telecommunication Authority had directed mobile and internet service providers to deactivate 26 unlisted social media platforms in Nepal. The Authority has directed to deactivate various social media platforms in Nepal including Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, Twitter (X), LinkedIn, Snapchat, WeChat and some others. Along with the NTA's directive, the mobile service providers have shut down the unlisted social media platforms.
A ministerial-level meeting on Thursday made a decision to deactivate social media platforms that have not been registered in Nepal.
The Ministry began the process to implement the order of the Supreme Court and the decision of the Council of Ministers made on August 25.
The Ministry has stated that the government decision was aimed at creating an environment for systematic, decent and accountable use of social platforms through self-regulation instead of restricting, controlling and limiting the social networking platforms.
