Popular messaging app Telegram Banned in Nepal

Nepal has officially banned the popular messaging app Telegram, citing a surge in online fraud and cybercrime facilitated through the platform.

The Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) issued a public notice on Thursday instructing all internet service providers to restrict access to Telegram within the country.

The move comes after a sharp increase in incidents of online scams and allegations that the app is being used for money laundering and other serious cyber offenses.

“Increasing cases of online fraud and the use of Telegram for illicit activities such as money laundering have prompted the authority to order a complete block on the app’s internet access in Nepal,” the NTA said in its statement.

Following the directive, all telecom and internet service providers in Nepal have begun the process of shutting down access to Telegram.

While the NTA has previously monitored social media platforms for misuse, this is the first time it has imposed a nationwide ban on a major global app like Telegram.

Telegram had been widely used across Nepal for purposes including education, business communication, and information sharing. However, in recent months, law enforcement agencies raised alarms about the app being increasingly used by fraud networks as a secure channel for illegal operations.

The ban marks a significant step in Nepal’s efforts to combat cybercrime, though it has also raised concerns about the impact on legitimate users who relied on the app for everyday communication.