Nepal has officially banned the messaging app Telegram, following a sharp increase in online fraud and suspected money laundering incidents linked to the platform. The Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) issued an urgent directive on July 18, 2025, ordering all internet service providers (ISPs) to immediately restrict access to Telegram nationwide
📈 Alarm Bells: Fraud Trends Behind the Ban
- In FY 2024–25’s first five months, the Nepal Police Cyber Bureau received 696 fraud complaints involving Telegram, up from just 20 in the prior fiscal year—marking a staggering 3,480% uptick
- Telegram was reportedly used to orchestrate a major financial fraud affecting the F1Soft system, which led to a breach of Citizens Bank’s accounts—bolstering concerns over its misuse for criminal schemes
⚠️ NTA’s Official Stance & Enforcement
- The NTA formally stated that Telegram had been increasingly misused for serious crimes such as money laundering and deceptive scams and ordered ISPs to immediately block or shut down access to the app
- The decision followed input from Nepal’s National Coordination Committee on Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing, which recommended urgent regulatory action to curb the platform’s misuse
🌐 Telegram’s Response
Telegram issued a statement expressing surprise at the decision, stating it has historically complied with legal requests from Nepali authorities and actively removes accounts tied to fraud and money laundering when detected
🧾 Broader Implications & Challenges
- Similar to Nepal’s prior 2023 TikTok ban, enforcement may be limited—tech-savvy users can bypass restrictions using VPNs. Analysts stress the need for targeted regulation rather than blanket app bans
- The ban sparks renewed debate around digital regulation versus freedom of expression; critics argue broad bans may suppress legitimate usage while pushing illicit activity deeper underground
🔮 Outlook: What Comes Next
- Nepal is expected to develop further cybersecurity and digital fraud regulations, alongside public awareness campaigns to educate citizens on scam detection and avoidance.
- There is likely to be ongoing dialogue with Telegram’s security team to explore regulatory collaboration or content moderation mechanisms.
- The ban may set a precedent in South Asia, prompting other governments to re-examine encrypted messaging platforms in the context of public safety and crime prevention.
✅ Summary
- Nepal has banned Telegram due to its widespread misuse for online fraud, suspected money laundering, and other criminal activities.
- The ban follows a massive rise in fraud complaints—up nearly 35-fold year-on-year in Kathmandu.
- While Telegram disputes the claims, citing cooperation with law enforcement, Nepali authorities argue the risks justify outright restriction.
- This policy move might prompt further digital law-making and coordinated fraud-response systems in Nepal.
