Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has sent its officials to Kathmandu after Nepal gave the company until April 20 to register locally. If it fails to do so, the government has warned that it may restrict access to Meta’s platforms in the country.
Meta Officials in Kathmandu for Talks
According to the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Meta has sent its Asia-Pacific public policy manager Ruzan Sarwar and another liaison officer to Nepal. They are scheduled to meet with Communications Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung to discuss the matter further.
Only a Few Platforms Have Registered
So far, only TikTok, Viber, and WeChat have officially registered in Nepal under the new rules. Facebook, Messenger, and other popular Meta platforms have received several notices but have not complied until now.
Nepal Introduced New Rules in 2023
Nepal launched the “Directives Relating to the Regulation for the Usage of Social Media, 2023” in November last year. These rules require social media companies to:
- Register with the ministry
- Appoint a local contact person
- Name a grievance officer
- Ensure self-regulation
- Remove illegal content
- Support criminal investigations
Government Says Meta’s Action Will Set an Example
Ministry spokesperson Gajendra Kumar Thakur stated that Meta’s registration could influence other companies to comply. He also added that the lack of formal registration has made it hard for the government to respond to public complaints about platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
Meta Requests Clarification Before Proceeding
Shaligram Parajuli, IT policy advisor to the ministry, said Meta wanted further explanation of the directive and expressed interest in meeting the minister directly.
Other Big Platforms Yet to Respond
Other major platforms like X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Google, and LinkedIn are also expected to register. However, several companies including Meta, Snapchat, and X have yet to reply to multiple notices.
Tech Giants Push Back Against Rules
The Asia Internet Coalition (AIC), a group that includes Meta, Google, Apple, Amazon, Yahoo, and Spotify, has criticized Nepal’s directive. AIC claims the rules are too strict and do not match global standards. They believe that requiring companies to delete content within 24 hours could affect freedom of speech.
AIC Requests a Dialogue With Nepal
AIC has sent letters to the Nepali government in 2023 and 2024, requesting virtual or face-to-face meetings to discuss the directive. However, the government has not yet held such consultations and continues issuing formal notices with deadlines.
New Law Under Review in Parliament
Nepal’s parliament is now reviewing a draft bill that would legally enforce the directive. If passed, the law would allow the government to ban unregistered platforms and set penalties for companies that fail to comply.
Nepal Also Imposes Digital Tax on Tech Giants
Apart from registration, Nepal also collects a 2% Digital Services Tax (DST) from foreign tech companies. In the fiscal year 2023-24, companies such as Meta, Google, Apple, Amazon, Adobe, Microsoft, and Netflix paid around Rs410 million (approx. US$3.1 million) in DST.
