Government Will Not Ban Unlisted Social Media Platforms, Guidelines To Be Implemented

Kathmandu: The government has decided not to ban social media platforms even if they are not listed, opening the door for them to register. Following political upheaval and public backlash over the earlier social media ban, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has adopted a new policy of not shutting down social media platforms or revoking the guidelines regulating their use.

The previous government, led by KP Sharma Oli, had decided to gradually deactivate 26 social media platforms, saying they had failed to register despite repeated correspondence and extensions.

After most platforms still did not comply, a meeting chaired by then Communications Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung decided on September 4 to ban those platforms. The decision drew widespread criticism and became one of the key issues in the Gen-Z movement on September 8 and 9, which demanded good governance.

Then-Prime Minister Oli resigned on September 9 after the protests turned violent. The social media ban was among the major reasons for the growing public anger against his government.

After Jagdish Kharel became the Minister of Communications in the Sushila Karki-led government formed in the wake of the Gen-Z movement, there has been no formal discussion on the ban within the ministry. Joint Secretary Koshari Niraula clarified that the government will not shut down unlisted social media platforms since the directive has not been revoked. He said the ministry is not considering scrapping the guideline.

“There is no preparation to revoke the directive. If they come forward, we will complete the process and list them. However, we will not close social media platforms,” Niraula told TechPana.

On the proposal of the Ministry of Communications, the then Council of Ministers had decided on August 25 to call on social media platforms to get listed within seven days. To implement this, the ministry had issued a public notice on August 28, urging unlisted platforms to register within the given time. When they failed to do so, the ministry directed the Nepal Telecommunications Authority to deactivate those platforms.

According to the ministry, TikTok, Viber, Nimbuzz, WhiteTalk, Popo Live, HamroPatro, and Global Diary have completed the registration process and been listed.

 

पछिल्लो अध्यावधिक: कात्तिक २१, २०८२ १५:११

टिप्पणीहरू