Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Pirthvi Subba Gurung, has warned that Meta (Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram) could face a ban in Nepal if it fails to register within seven days.
Speaking at an event organized by the National Information Commission, Gurung expressed frustration over Meta’s repeated disregard for Nepal’s registration demands. Despite multiple notices, the company has not complied, said Gurung.
Gurung highlighted that Meta earns significant revenue from Nepal but evades taxes. "Money flows out of Nepal every hour, yet Meta refuses to register or pay taxes here," he said. He also criticized Meta’s alleged arrogance, claiming it compared Nepal’s GDP unfavorably to its own revenue.
So far, only TikTok, Viber, and WeChat have registered in Nepal. The government insists on regulating foreign platforms to curb misinformation and revenue loss. The government has given a one-week ultimatum to Meta, stating, "Register within a week or face ban."
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