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Nepal social media ban lifted: Bitchat, Discord, TikTok see surge in use
At least 51 people, including an Indian national, have died in the recent “Gen Z” protests that erupted across Nepal against corruption and a ban on social media sites.
In a September 8 statement, the government said it respected freedom of thought and expression and was committed to “creating an environment for their protection and unfettered use.” On September 9, it announced the decision to lift the ban following violent youth-led demonstrations in several parts of the country.
During the ban, a handful of apps remained available and were widely used by protesters.
Also Read: Nepal lifts social media ban, PM resigns: All you need to know about 'GenZ protests'
Which apps were still working?
Five platforms — TikTok, Wetalk, Nimbuzz, Viber and one other — have formally registered with Nepal's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. Telegram and Global Diary are in the process of registration.
Bitchat
Jack Dorsey's messaging app Bitchat, which works without internet or mobile networks, remained operational throughout the protests.
In the days leading up to the demonstrations, many protesters turned to VPN services to bypass blocks, while fears of a broader internet shutdown fueled a surge in Bitchat downloads.
“There when you need it,” Dorsey posted on X, citing a spike in downloads during protests in both Indonesia and Nepal. The app reached the top 10 on Google Play with more than 48,000 downloads in a single day.Posts on Reddit also described protesters using Bitchat to coordinate. The app uses Bluetooth to send messages within about 100 metres, but Dorsey said its relay system can extend the range up to 300 metres.Discord
After Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned and the army deployed to the streets, many activists turned to Discord to discuss next steps.
One server with over 145,000 members debated who could serve as interim leader, with many supporting former Chief Justice Sushila Karki.
On Friday, Karki, Nepal's first woman Chief Justice, was sworn in as interim Prime Minister following the dissolution of Parliament.
TikTok
The protests were amplified on TikTok through the hashtag #NepoKids, which contrasted the lifestyles of politicians' children with the struggles of ordinary Nepalis.
Videos with this theme spread widely, including in rural areas, intensifying public anger, said rights activist Sanjib Chaudhary.
Despite the ban, TikTok remained accessible and became a key outlet for protest content.
Situation now
The Nepal government has now lifted restrictions on 26 platforms. Users in the country can once again access Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, X, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Reddit, Discord, Pinterest, Signal, Threads, WeChat, Quora, Tumblr, Clubhouse, Mastodon, Rumble, VK, Line, IMO, Zalo, Soul, Hamro Patro and BeReal.
Also Read: ETtech Explainer: Why Nepal banned Instagram, X, YouTube and other social media platforms
Source: EconomicTimes
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