Kathmandu. The government, which had banned the use of Chinese social media app TikTok for a few months citing the spread of social disorder, is now preparing to ban other social media platforms including Facebook, WhatsApp.
The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology issued a public notice on Thursday, warning that if the app is not registered within 30 days, it will be banned from operating in Nepal. The notification states that only Viber, TikTok and BitTok have been listed and are in operation so far, and has directed other social media platforms to be listed within 30 days.
The notification stipulates that the social media platform operating company to be listed must also arrange a contact point, a resident complaint hearing officer and an officer to monitor self-regulation compliance within Nepal.
The ministry has also warned that if the social media platform is not listed within the specified time, it may be banned from operating in Nepal as per Sub-section (7) of Section 3 of the Directive. Section 3 of the Directive to Manage the Use of Social Media, 2080, provides that any company operating a social media platform must be registered with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology to operate services in Nepal. Registration fees and other fees must be paid upon registration.
