Nepal blocks access to the world's largest social networks

As announced by the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, the decision to block numerous social networks was taken at a meeting of high-ranking members of the ministry. According to the statement, the operators of the affected platforms had not complied with the registration regulations.

Criticism has been voiced by media representatives and human rights organizations, who see this as an attempt to make access to information more difficult to exercise censorship, and restrict freedom of expression.

However, the ministry counters this: the companies concerned had failed to meet a seven-day deadline given to them by the government to register. As a result, access to the platforms from Nepal was blocked with immediate effect.

Many families affected

Many residents of Nepal rely on such platforms to stay in touch with their relatives living and working abroad. In addition, the sudden blockade left many businesses, such as the tourism industry, in a state of shock over the weekend.

In the capital, Kathmandu, dozens of journalists chanted against the government's decision. The Nepalese government expressly emphasized that the decision was not a measure to restrict freedom of expression.

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(aki)