Nepal Imposes Ban on 26 Social Media Platforms Amid Nationwide Protests

Nepal has banned 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube, after they failed to register with the government. The government says the ban is about sovereignty and regulation, not censorship. Critics argue the ban is premature and heavy-handed, and has sparked mass protests and violent confrontations with police. The move has lit a fuse that won't burn out quietly, with Nepal's Gen Z seeing social media as a political tool, livelihood, and space for free expression.

Nepal has banned 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube, after they failed to register with the government. The government's decision, which came into effect on Thursday, was aimed at enforcing new regulations aimed at cracking down on hate speech, fake news, and online crimes. However, the move has sparked mass protests and violent confrontations with police, leaving at least 16 people dead and dozens injured [1].

The ban, which has been widely criticized by international rights organizations, has drawn the ire of Nepal's Gen Z population, who see social media as a vital tool for political expression and livelihood. The protests, which began on Monday in Kathmandu, have been described as unprecedented in scale and intensity. The government has responded by imposing a curfew in several parts of the city, but the protests continue to spread [2].

The economic impact of the ban remains uncertain. While businesses and tourism have been disrupted, the long-term effects on Nepal's digital economy are yet to be fully understood. The ban has also raised concerns about the country's ability to attract foreign investment, given the international backlash against the government's actions [3].

The government has defended its decision, stating that the ban is about sovereignty and regulation, not censorship. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that the independence of the nation is greater than the loss of jobs of a handful of individuals. However, critics argue that the ban is premature and heavy-handed, and that it sets a dangerous precedent for press freedom [1].

The ban comes amidst a series of draft bills governing press freedom and social media that are under debate in Nepal's parliament. These bills, if passed, could mean people are fined or jailed for content that is deemed against the "national interest" and allow the government to shut down newspapers and revoke the licenses of journalists [3].

The situation in Nepal remains fluid, with the protests showing no signs of abating and the government's response evolving. The economic impact of the ban, and the potential for further political unrest, will be closely watched by investors and financial professionals in the coming days.

References:
[1] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/08/nepal-bans-26-social-media-sites-including-x-whatsapp-and-youtube
[2] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-08/nepal-sees-deadly-clashes-as-protests-erupt-on-social-media-ban
[3] https://www.jurist.org/news/2025/09/nepal-blocks-26-social-media-platforms-in-historic-crackdown/