Nepal has banned the messaging app Telegram, citing a rise in online fraud and money laundering, the country’s telecom regulator said on Friday.
In a notice, the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) instructed all internet service providers to immediately restrict access to the platform, saying it had been increasingly misused for criminal activity.
“Considering the misuse of Telegram for online fraud and money laundering, all service providers have been directed to restrict access to the platform without delay,” the NTA said.
Telegram, launched in 2013 by Russian-born brothers Pavel and Nikolai Durov, is a cloud-based messaging app known for its strong encryption, privacy features, and support for large group chats and broadcast channels.
The move follows a similar action against video-sharing app TikTok, which was banned in November 2023 over concerns of social disruption and harmful content. That ban was lifted in August last year after parent company ByteDance agreed to adhere to government regulations and support digital literacy and tourism promotion campaigns.
Analysts say enforcement of such bans is difficult, with many users turning to virtual private networks (VPNs) to bypass restrictions. Experts have called for stronger regulatory mechanisms instead of blanket bans. (Kathmandu)
https://kathmandupost.com/national/2025/07/18/nepal-bans-telegram-over-online-fraud-concerns
