Nepal bans 26 social media platforms: Full list from Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp to YouTube

Nepal is on edge as violent protests erupt across the country, led largely by Gen Z demonstrators furious over the government’s decision to ban 26 social media apps. What started as anger over corruption allegations has now exploded into nationwide unrest, with clashes between protesters and police turning violent outside parliament and across major cities.

Why has Nepal banned social media apps?

According to Kathmandu Post, the ban was imposed after several major platforms failed to comply with Nepal’s directive to register with the government. The seven-day deadline for mandatory registration expired last week, after which the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, in consultation with telecom operators and the Nepal Telecommunication Authority, enforced the ban.

Officials argue that the move is about sovereignty and regulation, not censorship. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli defended the crackdown, declaring:


“The independence of the nation is greater than the loss of jobs of a handful of individuals. How can it be acceptable to defy the law, disregard the constitution, and disrespect national dignity, independence, and sovereignty?”

The 26 Banned Social Media Apps in Nepal

1. Facebook
2. Messenger
3. Instagram
4. YouTube
5. WhatsApp
6. X (formerly Twitter)
7. LinkedIn
8. Snapchat
9. Reddit
10. Discord
11. Pinterest
12. Signal
13. Threads
14. WeChat
15. Quora
16. Tumblr
17. Clubhouse
18. Mastodon
19. Rumble
20. VK
21. Line
22. IMO
23. Zalo
24. Soul
25. Hamro Patro
26. BeReal (as per updated reports, some lists mention this app too, though local sources vary)

Which apps are still working?

Not every app has been blocked. Some platforms remain live because they complied with registration rules:

• Viber
• TikTok
• Wetalk
• Nimbuzz
• Meanwhile, Telegram and Global Diary are in the process of registering and could soon return officially.

The controversy behind the crackdown

The government insists it has long urged social media companies to establish a legal presence in Nepal. However, critics argue that the ban is premature and heavy-handed, especially since the bill cited in the order, Operation, Use, and Regulation of Social Media in Nepal, has not yet been passed by parliament.

This legal grey area has fuelled public anger, with many young Nepalis accusing the government of curbing free speech under the guise of regulation. The result has been mass protests, vandalism at government buildings, and violent confrontations with police.

Why this matters

For Nepal’s Gen Z, social media isn’t just entertainment, it’s a political tool, a livelihood, and a space for free expression. The sweeping ban has therefore struck a nerve, sparking one of the largest youth-led movements the country has seen in years.

Whether the protests force the government to reconsider, or whether the ban marks the beginning of tighter state control over digital spaces, remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Nepal’s social media blackout has lit a fuse that won’t burn out quietly.

Inputs from agencies