Feb 03, Kathmandu- The government has again issued a notice to companies operating social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn to list their platforms in Nepal. In a notice issued by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology on Monday, individuals, companies, or organizations that want to operate social media platforms are asked to list themselves with the ministry and designate a contact person.

The ministry has been repeatedly requesting platform operators to be listed in accordance with the provisions of the ‘Directive for Regulating the Use of Social Media, 2080’ for the past year. The ministry has stated that so far, only three social media platforms, including TikTok, Viber and BitTalk, have been listed in Nepal.

Section 3 of the Social Media Directive requires individuals, companies, or organizations that want to operate social media to register with the Ministry of Communications. Section 6 of the same directive requires social media companies to have a contact point in Nepal, a resident complaint hearing officer, and an officer to monitor self-regulation compliance.

Along with the guidelines, the cabinet meeting also set out the responsibilities that social media platforms must comply with, the ministry's statement said. The first point of the four-point list that platforms must comply with and operate in Nepal states that companies must support the promotion of Nepal's tourism. The second point states that they must conduct cybersecurity and digital literacy programs across the country regarding the use of social media.