Ban on Other Social Media Platforms Lifted, But Telegram Still Restricted: ISPs Warned of Action for Reopening It
असोज २८, २०८२ १०:३५
Kathmandu: The messaging app Telegram, which was banned by the government for its alleged use in online fraud, gambling, and money laundering, is reportedly operating without restriction on several Internet Service Providers (ISPs). While mobile service providers Nepal Telecom and Ncell have implemented the ban, most ISPs appear to have ignored government orders.
The Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA) had directed all mobile and internet service providers on July 18, 2025, to immediately block Telegram. The decision followed a letter from the National Coordination Committee on Prevention of Money Laundering under the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers on July 17, which stated that Telegram was being misused for criminal activities such as fraud, drug trade, and hundi transactions.
The committee had recommended strict action to help Nepal get off the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list for money laundering concerns. Following this, the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology instructed the NTA to block the app after failing to locate an official Telegram representative in Nepal.
However, despite the directive, most ISPs have now lifted the ban on Telegram. The NTA clarified that the restriction is still in effect and that no formal decision has been made to reopen the platform.
“The government ordered Telegram’s shutdown due to serious issues like money laundering and online fraud, and the authority had instructed providers accordingly,” said Meen Prasad Aryal, NTA director and spokesperson. “Since then, no decision has been made to lift the ban. If monitoring finds the app reopened, we will take action as per the law.”
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology said it was unaware of the situation. Ravindra Prasad Paudyal, the ministry’s joint secretary and information officer, said ISPs might have reopened Telegram on their own after other social networks were restored. “When the decision was made to open other platforms, Telegram was not included,” he said. “We have no formal information about ISPs reopening it, but I will inform the ministry about this.”
Telegram has applied to the ministry for official listing, but according to Paudyal, other relevant agencies have yet to respond to move the process forward.
Earlier, the KP Sharma Oli-led government had banned 26 social networks, including Facebook and X, for not being listed in Nepal, which led to widespread protests and the Gen-Z movement. Under public pressure, the government later lifted the ban on those platforms.
However, Telegram was not part of that list, as it had already been banned due to financial crimes rather than listing issues. It now appears that ISPs may have reopened Telegram without government approval while restoring access to other social media platforms.
An ISP operator said, “The government’s decision to reopen social networks was interpreted as including Telegram too, so it was unblocked along with others.”
पछिल्लो अध्यावधिक: असोज २८, २०८२ १०:३५
