फेसबुकले टेरेन ओली सरकारलाई, मन्त्री गुरुङको बन्द गर्ने धम्की अलपत्र, मेटाको उल्टै चुनौती ||

Summary

Nepal's government has faced challenges in regulating major social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, operated by Meta. Despite issuing multiple ultimatums and warnings for these platforms to register, they have continued to operate without compliance. The government has struggled to enforce its regulations, with platforms showing little concern for the repeated threats of closure. Social media plays a crucial role in Nepal, both for business promotion and information sharing. This ongoing situation highlights the difficulties governments face in controlling global tech giants, with the public also criticizing past attempts like the TikTok ban.

Takeaways

• 😀 Meta's social media platforms, including Facebook Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp, are highly popular in Nepal, but have yet to register with the government despite repeated requests.
• 😀 The Nepali government gave Meta and other social media companies an ultimatum to register by the 12th of Baishakh, 2079, followed by an extension until the 19th, which passed without compliance.
• 😀 Despite the government's multiple warnings and the extension, the social media platforms continue to operate without registration, leading to growing pressure on the government.
• 😀 The government's past efforts to regulate these platforms have included issuing notices with deadlines for registration, but these have been largely ignored by the companies.
• 😀 The social media platforms like Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp have millions of users in Nepal, making them an important part of the country's digital landscape.
• 😀 Despite issuing several notices, Minister Gurung has not been able to bring social media companies into legal compliance or shut them down, showing the government's lack of control.
• 😀 Social media platforms play a significant role in the dissemination of information and business promotion in Nepal, further complicating the government's approach to regulation.
• 😀 The popularity of social media in Nepal continues to grow, with Facebook having 14.3 million users, Messenger with 8 million, Instagram with 4.2 million, and WhatsApp with over 5 million users.
• 😀 The government's repeated warnings to Meta and similar platforms have been ineffective, with these companies showing little concern for the potential consequences in Nepal.
• 😀 The Nepali government's inability to regulate or shut down unregistered platforms highlights its struggle with enforcing laws on powerful global tech companies like Meta.

Q & A

What is the main issue discussed in the script?

The main issue is the repeated failure of social media platforms like Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp, owned by Meta, to register under Nepal's regulatory laws despite multiple ultimatums from the government.

What action did the Nepalese government take regarding the registration of social media platforms?

The government issued several ultimatums, including one on Baishakh 12 and extended the deadline to Baishakh 19, urging social media platforms to register under the national laws. However, these companies have not complied.

What has been the response of Meta and other social media platforms to the government's ultimatum?

Meta and other social media platforms have shown little to no concern for the government's warnings, with the companies continuing to operate in Nepal without registration.

How has the government reacted to the companies' refusal to register?

The government has issued repeated warnings and threats to shut down these platforms if they do not comply with registration requirements. However, these warnings have not led to any decisive action against the companies.

Why is the Nepalese government unable to enforce the registration of social media platforms?

The government has been unable to enforce registration because of the global nature of these companies, their widespread influence, and the lack of effective legal mechanisms to force them to comply with local laws.

How popular are social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp in Nepal?

Social media platforms are extremely popular in Nepal, with over 14 million Facebook users, 8 million Messenger accounts, 4.2 million Instagram users, and around 5 million WhatsApp users.

What has been the public reaction to the government's efforts to regulate social media?

Public reaction has been mixed, with some criticism directed at the government's inability to regulate social media effectively, while others are concerned about the potential consequences of such regulation.

What does the script imply about the government's stance on regulating social media?

The script suggests that the government is struggling to enforce its regulations, as it has repeatedly warned social media platforms but failed to implement any meaningful action. The government's actions have been seen as largely symbolic, with no real impact.

How does the popularity of social media impact Nepal's economy and society?

Social media has become a vital part of business promotion, information dissemination, and public discourse in Nepal. It has a significant impact on both the economy and society, with many people using it for communication, entertainment, and even financial transactions.

What historical context is referenced regarding the government's attempts to regulate digital platforms?

The script refers to a previous instance when the government, under the leadership of Pushpa Kamal Dahal, banned TikTok, a move that was met with criticism from the public. This historical reference highlights the challenges the government faces in regulating digital platforms.