Kathmandu, Sept 9 — The Nepal government has withdrawn its controversial decision to ban social media platforms after widespread protests by youths turned violent, leaving at least 19 people dead and more than 300 injured.
The announcement was made by Prithvi Subba Gurung, Nepal’s Minister for Communication, Information and Broadcasting, following an emergency Cabinet meeting on Monday.
The earlier ban had sparked outrage among the country’s young population, who argued that restricting access to platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X violated their right to free expression and access to information. What began as peaceful demonstrations soon escalated into violent confrontations with security forces, leading to the tragic loss of life.
“The government has heard the voice of the people,” Minister Gurung said, adding that the withdrawal was aimed at restoring peace and ensuring stability in the country.
Human rights groups and digital rights activists had strongly criticized the ban, warning that it would isolate Nepal from the digital world and stifle democratic freedoms.
The reversal has been welcomed by protesters and civil society organizations, though many stress that accountability must follow for the deaths and injuries caused during the unrest.
The incident highlights the growing tension between governments and citizens in the digital age, where social media is both a tool for mobilization and a space for freedom of expression.
With the ban lifted, focus now shifts to how Nepal’s leadership will balance governance, security concerns, and digital rights in the months ahead.
In a controversial and far-reaching decision, the Government of Nepal has ordered the shutdown of 26 major social media platforms — including global giants Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, and Instagram — citing their failure to comply with mandatory registration requirements. The decision, announced by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology on September 4, follows a seven-day deadline that expired the previous night.
According to the Ministry, the ban will remain in place until the platforms are formally registered with Nepali authorities. The Nepal Telecommunication Authority has been instructed to enforce the ban immediately. Officials stated that multiple requests had been made for compliance, with the final deadline passed without any action from the social media companies.
However, this crackdown has sparked widespread backlash both domestically and internationally. Free speech advocates and digital rights organizations have condemned the move, describing it as an attempt to suppress dissent and limit public discourse. Critics argue that the government’s registration demands are excessively intrusive, requiring platforms to submit to tight oversight and control that may violate global standards of digital autonomy and privacy.
Ujjwal Acharya, Director of the Center for Media Research, criticized the decision as deeply misguided, warning that it threatens Nepal’s democratic credentials. He emphasized that social media is no longer just a political tool but an essential part of modern life, used by individuals and businesses alike for communication, commerce, and creativity.
This is not the first time Nepal has moved against social platforms. In 2023, the government temporarily banned TikTok under similar circumstances. That ban was reversed in August 2024, only after TikTok agreed to register in Nepal. Since assuming power over a year ago, the K.P. Sharma Oli government has faced repeated allegations of authoritarian tendencies and increasing hostility toward online dissent.
Earlier this year, the government attempted to introduce sweeping legislation aimed at regulating all online activity under the pretext of protecting users. That effort was met with significant resistance from civil society and media watchdogs. The current ban appears to be an extension of that same regulatory vision, now enforced with greater authority after a Supreme Court ruling two weeks ago upheld the necessity of mandatory registration for all online platforms operating in Nepal.
The sudden blackout of widely used platforms has sent shockwaves through Nepal’s digital population. Many users posted what they feared could be their last messages before the sites went dark, while others decried the government for undermining basic freedoms.
As the country navigates the fallout of this decision, concerns are growing about the long-term implications for online expression, entrepreneurship, and Nepal’s global reputation as a democratic nation. Whether the banned platforms will eventually comply or push back against the government’s demands remains to be seen — but for now, Nepal’s digital landscape has changed dramatically, and not for the better.
