ISPs Warned Against Blocking Social Media, Government Ignored

Kathmandu: Despite repeated requests from the Internet Service Providers Association of Nepal (ISPAN), the government has decided to block unlisted social networks.

ISPAN had written to Minister for Communications and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung, urging regulation of social networks through dialogue and cooperation. However, a meeting chaired by Minister Gurung at the Ministry of Communications on Thursday decided to block all unlisted platforms.

Earlier, ISPAN had cautioned that the TikTok ban created major technical difficulties and service disruptions for providers. The association said internet services were only restored after facing significant challenges at that time.

Association President Sudhir Parajuli had also raised concerns through the Nepal Telecommunication Authority, warning that banning social networks would create multiple challenges.

According to ISPAN, blocking social networks will sharply increase the use of VPNs and Open DNS, posing serious risks to cybersecurity. The association also said the move would weaken investment in content delivery networks (CDNs) and online platforms.

It further warned that the ban would degrade internet quality, raise operating and bandwidth costs for providers, increase foreign exchange expenses, expose the government to legal challenges, and send a negative signal about Nepal to the international market.

 

पछिल्लो अध्यावधिक: भदौ १९, २०८२ १८:१

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