Kathmandu [Nepal], September 5 (ANI): Nepal is witnessing a Facebook and Instagram login crisis from web browsers due to the government’s ban on unregistered social media.
Users report service disruptions, encountering messages like “hmm… something went wrong,” “This site can’t be reached,” and “Safari can’t connect to the server” when trying to log in.
“Logging into Facebook via Safari and Google Chrome is now impossible. Mobile apps work for now, but I fear they too will soon be inaccessible,” stated Monika Malla, a university graduate, to ANI.
Social media users are turning to other platforms for updates on the outage. As of 10:45 PM (NPT), WhatsApp, Twitter, and YouTube remain functional.
The Nepalese government decided to block 26 unregistered social media platforms on Thursday.
Communications Minister Prithivi Subba Gurung, ministry officials, and telecom representatives made the decision.
Ministry officials confirm all unregistered platforms will face immediate restrictions. A seven-day registration deadline, now expired, was set by the government.
Major platforms like Meta (Facebook, Alphabet, X, Reddit, LinkedIn) have not contacted the Ministry for registration. Non-compliant platforms risk service suspensions in Nepal.
Registered platforms include Viber, TikTok, Wetalk, and Nimbuzz, while Telegram and Global Diary are registering. Major platforms like Facebook, Twitter (X), and WhatsApp have not begun registration.
The move follows a Supreme Court order and a recent ministerial meeting led by Minister Gurung.
“How will Nepalis abroad communicate with family now?” questioned a user on X post-ban.
The Ministry clarified nationwide restrictions on unregistered platforms, allowing operation post-registration.
Major platforms like Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, and others will be blocked until registration.
The Supreme Court issued a mandamus order following writ petitions demanding restrictions on unlicensed social media platforms.
Justices Tek Prasad Dhungana and Shanti Singh Thapa ruled in favor of the petitioners.
In December 2020, writs demanded restrictions on unlicensed broadcasts, including foreign ads on social media.
Manoj Gurung of the Nepal Cable Television Federation filed a similar writ.
The court’s mandamus directs unlicensed platforms to halt unauthorized broadcasts.
The government notified unregistered platforms to complete the registration process by last Thursday.
The ultimatum expired, with no registrations submitted. The government urges all operating platforms to register.
Minister Gurung stated that Meta was repeatedly asked to register, but they were “not ready” to comply with Nepal’s laws.
Operational platforms must register, designate contact points, appoint local complaint officers, and assign compliance officers in Nepal.
