The Social Media Bill 2081 (2025) has been registered at the National Assembly, the upper house in the bicameral parliamentary system of Nepal. Communication Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung registered the controversial bill at the upper house on Magh 15, 2081. Since its official registration, the internet has been triggered with many calling it an ill attempt to contain the voice that criticizes the government.
Many see this as a political maneuver. The bill, in essence, carries penalties for various offenses committed on social networking sites. The government maintains that the bill will help regulate social media, filter content, and have broader goals rather than keeping the critiques away. Is the overwhelming acrimony over it justified or there is a right intent from the government? We dissect all here:
Government for regulation, critics call it a tool to contain criticism
The government says that the Social Media Bill 2081 will serve as a tool to regulate social networks and people’s behaviors on them. The argument does hold water too. Previously, the Nepal Government did ban TikTok for its harm to social cohesion and tolerance before lifting it up. Even before that, there have always been talks of putting social networking sites under the regulatory microscope.
Basically, the government argues that social media should be a space for integrity and connection. This rules out hacking, using fake accounts that might harass others, posting unsubstantiated news, etc. These all sound good and positive. However, the line between the good and the bad is barely drawn or possible. So, the naysayers have criticized the bill calling it a weapon to silence criticism against the government.
Various experts and stakeholders, including social media influencers, have expressed their skepticism over its motif. Users fear that the content they post might come under the government’s ruling as unacceptable. They see the bill as a possible threat to their content. The government, in contrast, claims that it seeks to ensure that digital space is free of illicit and derogatory behaviors that oppose social fabric.
So, what’s in the Social Media Bill – 2081 that has stirred the Nepali community to such an extent? Let’s explore:
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The Social Media Bill 2081 offenses and penalties
Some of the major offenses and penalties mentioned in the Social Media Bill 2081 are as follows
- The government proposes up to Rs 25 lakh in fines for individuals or groups who operate a social media platform without permission or continue operating even after the government bans it.
- If anyone’s act on social media goes against national integrity or has someone, do it, such an individual will get up to 5 years term in prison or up to RS 5 lakh in fine or both.
- Section 18 Sub Section 1 states that anyone who acts or gets someone to act against Nepal’s sovereignty, national security, autonomy, communal unity, etc., gets jailed for 5 years, or fined Rs 5 lakh or both.
- Offender who cracks (hack) social network password computer systems or serial numbers and interfere with others’ ID and hack information will get up to Rs 15 lakh in fines or up to 15 years in prison as a penalty or both.
- On the offense of cyberbullying, the Social Media Bill 2081 proposes up to Rs 3 lakh fine or two 2 years of jail, or both.
- Those found guilty of cyberstalking will get up to 3 3-year prison term, or up to Rs 5 lakh fine, or both.
- Anyone who hacks another’s ID or information gets up to 3 years in prison or up to Rs 15 in fine or both.
- The bill proposes up to 3 years in prison or up to Rs 15 lakh in fines or both for phishing attacks or imposter scams.
- Offense in sextortion and extortion will attract up to Rs 15 lakh in fines or up to 3 years in prison or both.
- The Social Media Bill – 2081 Section 41 proposes up to Rs 50,000 in fines or up to 3 years in prison for posting horrendous or explicit audio and video content.
- It’s also proposed that offenders who post explicit, false, and fake information get up to 3 lakh in fine and up to 2 years prison term.
- Offenders who post or upload deepfake videos get up to Rs 3 lakh in fines and up to Rs 2 years prison term.
Besides, the government has also told various social media such as Facebook to register in Nepal or ban their operation in Nepal.
Fear justified or is there a positive intent?
The Social Media Bill 2081 has certainly gained traction for perceived notoriety. And all that stems from the belief that the government wants to curb the freedom of speech. That is an assertion at the moment and whether the government really wants to remove opinions that don’t align with its plans and policies is the thing only time will show when the bill passes if it does.
So, we can only wait and see how this whole saga evolves. But there is certainly a need for a regulation and that has to be fair. Scams, phishing attacks, and misinformation a commonplace on social networking platforms and they must be contained. Also, such digital spaces shall not be exploited to spread targeted communities, ideals, etc.
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When the parliament approves the bill, it should be signed into law and becomes Social Media Act 2081. But that process takes quite a time.
Let’s how how the Social Media Bill 2081 transpires. We will certainly have more updates on it.