KATHMANDU: The government has issued a notice requiring individuals, companies, or organizations wishing to run social media networks in Nepal to register with government authorities within the next month.

The notice also warns that platforms failing to register within this period could face closure.

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology issued the notice on Wednesday in line with the Directive on Regulating the Use of Social Media, 2080.

According to Section 3 of the directive, those operating or intending to operate social media networks must apply for registration with the ministry, submitting the required documents as outlined in Schedule-1 of the directive.

The directive also stipulates that these entities must establish a contact point, appoint a resident complaint hearing officer, and designate an officer to oversee compliance with self-regulation within Nepal.

Currently, Viber, TikTok, and Saramsha Media Lab Pvt. Ltd. (VTalk) are listed and authorized to operate by the ministry.

The ministry has instructed all other social media platforms operating in Nepal, aside from those mentioned, to complete the registration process within 30 days in accordance with the directive.

The notice also warns, “All concerned parties are advised to set up a contact point, a resident complaint hearing officer, and an officer to monitor self-regulation compliance in Nepal. Platforms failing to register within the given timeframe may face a ban on their operations in Nepal, as stated in sub-section (7) of Section 3 of the directive.”