Unregistered social media must be shut in Nepal again: Prithvi Subba Gurung
Gurung, a former Minister of Communications, emphasized that all businesses operating in Nepal must comply with the country’s laws.
KATHMANDU: Nepal Communist Party (UML) Deputy General Secretary Prithvi Subba Gurung has called for the re-closure of social media platforms like Meta that are not registered in Nepal.
Speaking at an event organized by Press Chautari on Monday, Gurung, a former Minister of Communications, emphasized that all businesses operating in Nepal must comply with the country’s laws.
During his tenure as communications minister, social media platforms not registered in Nepal were blocked. However, they were later reopened following the Gen Z movement.
Gurung warned that even though some platforms were temporarily allowed due to special circumstances, they would inevitably face restrictions in the future.
He highlighted the inconsistency of allowing billion-dollar social media companies to operate without registration while requiring small businesses in Nepal to register.
Gurung claimed that despite multiple efforts to make these companies comply, they treated Nepal as a small, insignificant market.
He recalled that platforms were given 13 months to register, but failed to do so, which led to their temporary closure for regulation.
Gurung stressed the need for stricter regulation of social media in Nepal.
He also noted that while some platforms like Meta are starting to pay content creators, Nepali creators have often not received proper compensation.
Looking ahead, he said the government should give options to foreign companies but enforce registration and compliance; otherwise, they would face closure.
He also mentioned that alternative apps are increasingly emerging in Nepal, and the state must regulate foreign platforms while offering choices to users.
