Nepal’s Youth Turn to Bluetooth to Fight Internet Blackout and Censorship

Over 48,781 Nepalis downloaded Jack Dorsey’s decentralized messaging app, Bitchat, in response to a brief social media ban that blocked major platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube. This surge in usage marked a significant shift toward decentralized, encrypted communication, particularly during widespread protests against government corruption. The ban, imposed by the Nepal government, aimed to curb anti-government content but instead sparked a Gen Z-led uprising, leading to clashes with security forces and at least 19 deaths.

The rapid adoption of Bitchat in Nepal followed a similar spike in downloads in Indonesia earlier in the week, where corruption-related protests also led to increased interest in decentralized communication tools. Bitcoin developer Callebtc reported the Nepal usage surge, noting that downloads rose from fewer than 3,344 to over 48,781 within days. This growth was driven by a population seeking alternatives to centralized platforms, particularly in the absence of internet connectivity due to the ban.

Bitchat, a Bluetooth mesh network-based messaging app, does not require internet access, making it a viable solution during digital blackouts. The app, launched in beta in July 2025 by Jack Dorsey, leverages decentralized infrastructure to allow encrypted peer-to-peer communication. Unlike centralized platforms like WhatsApp or Telegram, Bitchat operates independently of servers or personal data registration, offering users a method of communication that is resistant to government censorship.

The Nepal protests, led by young people frustrated with corruption and economic inequality, highlight a growing trend of public reliance on decentralized technologies to circumvent state-imposed restrictions. The movement, fueled by social media platforms before the ban, shifted to apps like Bitchat to maintain coordination. Reddit users in Nepal openly recommended Bitchat as a reliable alternative, emphasizing its Bluetooth-based functionality and independence from traditional internet infrastructure.

The use of decentralized messaging platforms is not unique to Nepal. Similar patterns emerged during protests in other countries, such as Iran, where the Session App saw increased adoption during social media restrictions. However, Bitchat's mesh networking capability represents a new evolution in decentralized communication, allowing messages to transmit across devices even when internet access is completely disabled. This feature is particularly valuable in disaster zones, remote areas, or under complete digital blackouts, offering a level of resilience unmatched by centralized messaging services.

While decentralized apps like Bitchat are gaining traction in protest scenarios, they still face challenges in competing with mainstream platforms. Meta’s family of apps, including Facebook and WhatsApp, reported 3.48 billion average daily users in June 2025, indicating a 6% year-on-year increase. Despite their growing appeal among privacy-conscious users, apps like Bitchat and Session remain far behind in terms of user base and infrastructure. Nevertheless, the rapid adoption of Bitchat during the Nepal protests suggests that decentralized communication tools are becoming essential during periods of political instability and digital suppression.