In a dramatic turn of events, the Nepalese government recently imposed a nationwide ban on 26 popular social media platforms, citing non-compliance with registration requirements under a proposed regulatory framework. The move, intended to assert national sovereignty over digital spaces, instead sparked widespread outrage, particularly among the younger generation, leading to violent clashes that claimed 19 lives and injured over 100 people. What began as protests against the ban quickly escalated into broader demonstrations against government corruption and economic stagnation, highlighting the deep-seated frustrations of Nepal’s Gen Z population.
The ban was announced by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, in coordination with the Nepal Telecommunication Authority and telecom operators. Platforms were given a seven-day deadline to register locally, a measure justified by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli as essential for maintaining regulatory control and national independence. Critics, however, decried it as an assault on free speech, especially since the underlying legislation – the Operation, Use, and Regulation of Social Media in Nepal bill—had not yet been enacted by parliament. Notably, TikTok escaped the ban after complying with the registration directive, while others like Hamro Patro and X (formerly Twitter) were among the few to respond, though not sufficiently to avoid restriction.
The prohibited apps encompassed a wide range of social networking, messaging, and content-sharing services, severely disrupting daily communication, business operations, and access to information for millions of Nepalis. This included migrant workers and students abroad who rely on these platforms to stay connected with family. Here is the complete list of the 26 banned apps:
- Messenger
- YouTube
- X (formerly Twitter)
- Snapchat
- Discord
- Signal
- Threads
- Quora
- Tumblr
- Clubhouse
- Mastodon
- Rumble
- VK
- Line
- IMO
- Zalo
- Soul
- Hamro Patro
- BeReal
The ban’s implementation triggered immediate backlash. Thousands of young protesters, dubbing themselves “Gen Z revolutionaries,” took to the streets in Kathmandu and other major cities, chanting slogans against censorship and demanding accountability for corruption. What started as peaceful rallies soon turned violent, with reports of vandalism, stone-throwing, and confrontations with riot police. Security forces responded with tear gas, batons, and in some cases, live ammunition, escalating the chaos. The clashes reached a peak outside parliament, where protesters attempted to breach security barriers, resulting in the tragic loss of 19 lives and numerous injuries.
In response to the mounting pressure and bloodshed, the government imposed a curfew in Kathmandu and parts of Lalitpur to curb further gatherings. Prime Minister Oli announced relief measures for the families of the deceased, including financial aid and free medical treatment for the injured. Additionally, an investigative panel was formed to probe the unrest’s causes and recommend preventive strategies. Remarkably, the ban was lifted on September 9, 2025 – less than a day after its full enforcement in some accounts, though initial restrictions began rolling out earlier—allowing access to all platforms once more. Authorities confirmed that the apps were operational again, effectively addressing one of the protesters’ key grievances.
This episode underscores the pivotal role of social media in modern activism and daily life in Nepal, where internet penetration has surged in recent years. While the government aimed to regulate foreign tech giants, the backlash revealed the risks of such policies in a digitally connected society. As Nepal grapples with balancing regulation and freedom, the violent clashes serve as a stark reminder of the potential for digital restrictions to ignite real-world turmoil.
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