Chief Adviser to the Prime Minister, Bishnu Rimal, has hinted that social media could be shut down if they are not registered.
Posting a status on Facebook on Thursday morning, Rimal said, “Perhaps all unregistered social media and online platforms are being deactivated.”
Earlier, UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel had also indicated that the government was making preparations to shut down social media.
Rimal, who is also a UML Deputy-General Secretary, has hinted that the government is about to shut down social media, which has developed almost like an addiction in people's daily lives. “Social media and online platforms have become an addiction for almost all of us. From the Prime Minister to the general public, dozens of statuses are shared daily to inform about their activities and exchange emotions,” Rimal wrote, “It seems—what if these platforms were shut down?”
He further wrote, “Perhaps, due to the anti-social role of some unwanted elements and the actions of some irresponsible individuals, the Supreme Court has ordered a suspension until the company appoints a resident grievance officer for self-regulation within Nepal. Possibly, all unregistered social media and online platforms are being deactivated.”
He said, “These networks and platforms, which have become an integral part of our lives like an addiction, should be registered as soon as possible, and an environment for us to use them quickly should be created.
The government had set September 3 deadline for all social media to register, stating that they were operating in Nepal without registration. However, no social media has contacted the government for registration within this period.
The general public is watching with curiosity what the government will do with the social media that have ignored its call.
On August 28, the government had issued a seven-day deadline for mandatory registration of all social media currently operating in Nepal and those preparing to enter Nepal.
.
