The Government of Nepal lifted the ban on social media platforms on Monday night after a day of violent protests, which killed at least 19 people. The banned platforms included globally famous Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Reddit, Signal, Pinterest, YouTube, WhatsApp, and X. The platforms were banned for not registering under new regulations.
Nepal’s Minister for Communication, Information, and Broadcasting, Prithvi Subba Gurung, stated that the decision was reversed after an urgent cabinet meeting. He asserted that the government was ‘addressing the demands of Gen-Z’.
Protests and Clashes in Kathmandu
The social media ban in Nepal caused massive protests with people holding placards reading ‘Shut down corruption and not social media’, and ‘Youth against corruption’. The protestors also tried to breach the barbed wire near the parliament, forcing the authorities to use tear gas, water cannons, and batons. A curfew was announced across Kathmandu to restore order.
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As per the officials, the Ministry of Communications has asked the social media companies multiple times to register under the new regulations. The companies failed to comply, leading to the ban.
Why TikTok Stayed Online
TikTok was the only major social media platform which was not banned, as it was registered under Nepal’s rules on time. In comparison, Meta (Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram) and X are yet to respond.
In 2023, TikTok was banned for disrupting ‘social harmony’. At that time, the officials stated that the companies must open liaison offices, pay taxes, and follow Nepalese law. However, the ban was lifted in August 2024 when Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli argued that all platforms must be treated equally. The company vowed to follow the national rules, including Nepal’s 2018 ban on pornographic content.
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Only three other platforms registered successfully and continued to operate without disruption, according to the Associated Press.
Meanwhile, the United Nations has called for a transparent and speedy investigation into the deadly protests that erupted over the government’s restrictions.
