Telegram Submits Registration Application in Nepal Following Ban

Kathmandu - The messaging platform Telegram, which faced a ban in Nepal over its alleged use in online fraud and money laundering, has formally applied to register with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. 

The government had imposed the ban on July 18, 2025, instructing all internet service providers to block access to the platform following directives from the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA). The move was a response to an increase in online fraud cases and the company's lack of compliance with domestic regulations.

According to Ministry spokesperson and Joint Secretary Gajendra Kumar Thakur, the application is currently under review, and a final decision is expected soon. He made it public that the government’s goal was never to permanently block any app but to ensure platforms operating in the country comply with local regulations. Thakur used the example of TikTok, which had a previous ban lifted after its company agreed to comply with national regulations.

Following the ban, a Telegram representative arrived in Nepal and assured the government of the company’s willingness to adhere to the country’s social media laws.

A spokesperson for the Nepal Police Cyber Bureau, Deepak Raj Awasthi, publicly stated that the platform's ability for users to conceal their phone numbers was a key feature exploited by fraudsters. He explained that this made it difficult for police to trace individuals involved in investment scams and other online crimes.

While 1.1 million users are on the platform in Nepal, a group of 27 digital rights and freedom of expression organisations had criticised the ban. They argued that such a restriction directly harms Nepal's growing digital economy and small businesses, describing the ban as a serious violation of fundamental rights.

The Ministry's Social Media Management Unit is scheduled to decide on Telegram's application, as well as a similar one from the Global View app, by Friday, August 29, 2025. There are currently five social media platforms registered in Nepal, including Viber and TikTok. A Supreme Court ruling has also recently mandated that all social media platforms must register in Nepal, a decision that provides a clear legal basis for the government's actions.

The Ministry is preparing to move forward after consulting with various stakeholders. With Telegram now in the registration process, officials expect other platforms to follow suit.