Nepal has ended its social media blackout after deadly youth-led protests that resulted in at least 19 deaths and over 300 injuries, a government minister announced on September 9, 2025. The government had imposed the ban on 26 major platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, and X, citing non-compliance with registration requirements set by a Supreme Court ruling in 2024 aimed at regulating unlicensed platforms for content and advertisements. The blackout, which began last week, sparked widespread unrest mainly among the younger generation, who mobilized under the banner of "Gen Z" to protest both the ban and broader issues of government corruption[1][2][3][4].
The protests escalated rapidly, with thousands gathering in...
The protests escalated rapidly, with thousands gathering in Kathmandu, particularly outside Parliament. Demonstrators chanted anti-government slogans and demanded the restoration of access to social media platforms that serve as vital communication tools for millions of Nepalis, especially those studying or working abroad. Despite government efforts to impose phone and internet restrictions, activists used alternative platforms such as TikTok to organize and sustain the movement[3].
Violence broke out when some protesters breached the Parliam...
Violence broke out when some protesters breached the Parliament complex, prompting police to respond with tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets, and live rounds. The clashes resulted in significant casualties and prompted an emergency cabinet meeting. Following the meeting, Communications and Information Technology Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung announced the lifting of the social media ban and instructed relevant agencies to restore access immediately[1][2][5].
The government’s original decision was part of a broader pus...
The government’s original decision was part of a broader push to enforce stricter oversight on digital platforms, reflecting a global trend where countries seek to regulate Big Tech amid concerns over misinformation, privacy, and national security. However, the move in Nepal ignited a powerful youth backlash, highlighting the critical role of social media in civic engagement and political expression[2][3][4].
Security along the India-Nepal border has been heightened to...
Security along the India-Nepal border has been heightened to prevent any spillover of unrest, with Indian forces closely monitoring the situation. Meanwhile, authorities have appealed to the protesters to call off their agitation and return to dialogue[2].
The reversal of the social media ban marks a significant mom...
The reversal of the social media ban marks a significant moment in Nepal’s ongoing struggles with governance, youth empowerment, and digital freedom, underscoring the challenges governments face balancing regulation and citizens’ rights in the digital era.
🔄 Updated: 9/9/2025, 3:00:13 AM
Nepal’s public, especially youth, reacted with intense outrage to the social media blackout that blocked 26 platforms like Facebook and Instagram, sparking nationwide “Gen Z” protests that left at least 19 dead and over 100 injured. Thousands, many in school uniforms, flooded the streets demanding an end to the ban, leading the government to reverse the blackout within days amid widespread condemnation and international concern[1][2]. The Communications Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung confirmed, “We have withdrawn the shutdown of social media. They are working now,” reflecting the administration’s concession to public pressure[2].
🔄 Updated: 9/9/2025, 3:10:10 AM
Nepal's government officially lifted the social media blackout on September 8, 2025, after imposing a ban last week on 26 platforms including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X for failing to register locally, a decision that sparked deadly youth protests leaving at least 19 people dead and over 100 injured[1][3]. Communications and Information Technology Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung announced the reversal following an emergency Cabinet meeting, stating, "We have withdrawn the shutdown of social media. They are working now"[2][3]. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli acknowledged the unrest saying, “The protests turned violent due to infiltration by certain elements, but the government was never opposed to the demands of the new generation”[
🔄 Updated: 9/9/2025, 3:20:10 AM
Nepal’s stock market reacted cautiously after the government lifted the social media ban amid deadly youth protests, with the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index showing a modest gain of 0.8% on Monday, reflecting relief among investors over restored digital connectivity. Shares of telecom and internet service companies led the uptick, with some firms gaining up to 3%, as the reopening of platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube is expected to boost advertising and digital commerce. Communications Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung noted that the reversal “restores normal business activity,” which calmed market fears of prolonged disruption[1][2][3].
🔄 Updated: 9/9/2025, 3:30:13 AM
Nepal’s lifting of the social media blackout followed intense public backlash, with thousands of mainly youth protesters taking to the streets in school uniforms demanding restoration of access, reflecting widespread anger and confusion among millions of users affected by the ban[1][2]. A 24-year-old student explained, “We were triggered by the social media ban, but that’s not the only reason... corruption is the core issue,” while the government’s reversal came after protests cost at least 19 lives and left over 100 injured, signaling deep societal unrest[1][2][3].
🔄 Updated: 9/9/2025, 3:40:12 AM
Nepal’s reversal of its social media blackout came amid sharp expert criticism that the government’s broad censorship risked undermining democratic freedoms and exacerbating social tensions. The UN rights office urged a "prompt and transparent investigation" into the killings of at least 19 protesters, emphasizing the importance of respecting peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, while Amnesty International and other human rights groups condemned the ban as excessive and warned it hindered civic space[1][3]. Industry analysts noted that Nepal’s demand for foreign platforms to register locally and comply with oversight laws, though rooted in concerns over misinformation, was implemented too abruptly, triggering violent youth-led backlash and raising questions about balancing regulation with digital rights[1][3].
🔄 Updated: 9/9/2025, 3:50:10 AM
Nepal's decision to end its social media blackout following deadly youth protests has drawn significant international attention and concern. The United Nations and human rights organizations like Amnesty International have condemned the government’s initial ban and the violent crackdown, with the UN calling for a transparent investigation into the killings of at least 19 protesters and urging respect for freedom of expression and peaceful assembly[1][3]. UN Resident Coordinator Hanaa Singer-Hamdy described the violence as "so unlike Nepal," emphasizing the seriousness of the situation and the potential for escalating casualties[3].
🔄 Updated: 9/9/2025, 4:00:16 AM
Nepal's decision to end its social media blackout following deadly youth protests has drawn significant international attention, with the United Nations expressing readiness to assist and calling for a transparent investigation into the violence that left at least 19 protesters dead and over 100 injured[1][3]. UN officials emphasized respect for peaceful assembly and freedom of expression while urging Nepal to align social media regulations with human rights obligations, highlighting the global concern over the government's broad clampdown on platforms critical to Nepal's digitally active youth[3]. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli acknowledged the protests were fueled by “ambiguity” between the government and Gen Z's expectations but insisted the government never intended to stop social media use, reflecting the delicate balance between regulation and democratic rights unde
🔄 Updated: 9/9/2025, 4:10:10 AM
Nepal lifted its social media blackout today after deadly youth-led protests left 19 people dead and over 100 injured, Communications Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung confirmed. The ban, which blocked 26 platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and X, was reversed following nationwide outcry and violent clashes as protesters demanded an end to corruption and the social media shutdown[1][2][3]. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli acknowledged the protests' intensity but said the government was not opposed to the new generation's demands[2].
🔄 Updated: 9/9/2025, 4:20:14 AM
Nepal ended its social media blackout on September 8, 2025, after a week-long ban blocking 26 platforms including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X, which was imposed due to non-compliance with government registration demands[1][2]. The blackout severely disrupted digital communications, notably affecting the tourism sector’s client interactions and ongoing business operations that relied heavily on platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram, with some companies resorting to VPNs to bypass restrictions[3]. The government reversed the ban following violent protests by predominantly young demonstrators, which resulted in at least 19 deaths and over 100 injuries; the Communications Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung confirmed the restoration of social media access hours after mass demonstrations flooded Nepalese cities
🔄 Updated: 9/9/2025, 4:30:17 AM
Nepal’s abrupt reversal of its social media ban has reshaped its digital competitive landscape by reopening access to 26 major platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X, after a week-long blackout[1]. This reinstatement came amid violent youth-led protests that left at least 19 dead, signaling significant pressure on foreign tech companies to comply with local regulations under threat of access restrictions[1][2]. Communications Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung confirmed, “We have withdrawn the shutdown of social media. They are working now,” indicating a government shift toward balancing regulatory demands with public and international pressure[2].
🔄 Updated: 9/9/2025, 4:40:13 AM
Nepal has officially ended its social media blackout after deadly "Gen Z" protests that left 19 people dead and more than 100 injured, according to Communications Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung[1][2]. The blackout, initially imposed because foreign platforms failed to comply with new registration rules, was lifted following nationwide youth-led demonstrations, some turning violent as security forces used live rounds and tear gas[2][3]. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli acknowledged the protests but stated he would not resign, attributing the unrest to "ambiguity" around the ban, while international bodies including the UN called for a transparent investigation and respect for peaceful assembly[3][4].
🔄 Updated: 9/9/2025, 4:50:16 AM
Nepal’s decision to end the social media blackout was met with relief and cautious optimism from the public, especially youth who had led the protests. Thousands of “Gen Z” demonstrators flooded Kathmandu’s streets, with many expressing frustration at the restrictions that had cut off access to 26 platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, severely disrupting communication and livelihoods, particularly in tourism[1][2][4]. One outfitter told ExplorersWeb, “When communication is blocked, our dreams and livelihoods are directly affected”[4]. Despite the ban’s lifting, the deadly protests that claimed 19 lives have left the nation deeply shaken, underscoring the public’s demand for transparency and freedom of expression[1][
🔄 Updated: 9/9/2025, 5:00:21 AM
Nepal has ended its social media blackout after nationwide "Gen Z" protests left 19 people dead and more than 100 injured, the Communications and Information Technology Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung confirmed on September 9, 2025[1][2]. The ban, which blocked 26 platforms including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X, was lifted following violent clashes between protesters—many of them students—and security forces demanding an end to corruption and the blackout[2][3]. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli acknowledged the protests' escalation, attributing it to "ambiguity," and stated the government was not opposed to the youth's demands, while also assuring he would not resign[2][3].
🔄 Updated: 9/9/2025, 5:10:13 AM
Nepal’s government officially lifted the social media ban late Monday following nationwide youth protests that resulted in at least 19 deaths and over 100 injuries. Communications and Information Technology Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung announced the rollback of restrictions on 26 platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X, acknowledging the public outrage and stating, “We have withdrawn the shutdown of the social media. They are working now”[1][2]. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli attributed the violence to “infiltration by certain elements” but emphasized that the government was “never opposed to the demands of the new generation”[1].
🔄 Updated: 9/9/2025, 5:20:13 AM
Nepal has ended the social media blackout that was imposed last week after deadly "Gen Z" protests, which left at least 19 people dead and over 100 injured, according to Communications Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung[1][2]. The ban had blocked 26 platforms including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X, and was reversed amid intense public backlash and violent clashes between protesters and security forces[2][3]. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli acknowledged the protests' impact but stated the government was not opposed to youth demands and refused to resign[2][3].