The Nepal government lifted the ban on social media after thousands of young Nepalis took to the streets of Kathmandu to protest.
Nepal’s communication and information minister Prithvi Subba Gurung on Sunday said the government has rolled back its decision to ban social media platforms after an emergency Cabinet meeting, PTI reported.
He announced that agencies have been directed to restore access to the platforms, days after authorities ordered 26 sites, including Facebook and X, to be blocked for not registering with the government.
The reversal came after large-scale protests in Kathmandu, led by ‘Gen Z’ demonstrators who had camped outside Parliament. Gurung appealed to the group to call off their agitation.
The protests turned violent on Monday when some participants breached the Parliament complex, forcing police to use water cannons, tear gas, and live rounds to disperse them, eyewitnesses said. According to the PTI, clashes between protesters and police left 19 people dead and more than 300 others injured.
The demonstrations, largely driven by the youth, erupted after the controversial decision was announced, with police resorting to firing at multiple locations to disperse crowds.
The India-Nepal border has been put on alert a protests in Nepal, ANI reported, citing sources. The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), which guards the border, has stepped up vigilance and is closely monitoring developments to prevent any spillover of unrest into Indian territory. Officials stressed that the alert is “preventive in nature” and that the situation remains under control.
Nepal's home minister resigns
Nepal’s home minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned after violent protests, according to PTI citing Nepali Congress sources.
Lekhak, a Nepali Congress leader in the coalition government, stepped down on “moral grounds” amid nationwide outrage. The protests, led largely by youths, shook Kathmandu and several other cities before turning deadly.
Why were platforms banned?
The blackout, which began Friday, followed a government order blocking 26 social media platforms for failing to register locally. The list included Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, and Reddit.
At a Cabinet meeting chaired by Communications Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung, companies were given seven days to meet compliance rules: register with the ministry, appoint a grievance officer, name a compliance officer, and set up a point of contact in Nepal.
While some apps such as TikTok, Viber, Wetalk, and Nimbuzz have registered — and Telegram and Global Diary are in the process — major global platforms have yet to comply. Officials said access will be restored once requirements are met.
The decision came after a Supreme Court ruling in September 2024 directing stricter oversight of unlicensed platforms, OTT apps, and browsers. A joint bench of Justices Tek Prasad Dhungana and Shanti Singh Thapa had upheld petitions seeking regulation of ads and content.
Nepal’s blackout mirrors a global trend, with governments from the US and EU to India, Brazil, China, and Australia tightening controls on Big Tech amid concerns over misinformation, privacy, online safety, and national security.
Nepal’s communication and information minister Prithvi Subba Gurung on Sunday said the government has rolled back its decision to ban social media platforms after an emergency Cabinet meeting, PTI reported.
He announced that agencies have been directed to restore access to the platforms, days after authorities ordered 26 sites, including Facebook and X, to be blocked for not registering with the government.
The reversal came after large-scale protests in Kathmandu, led by ‘Gen Z’ demonstrators who had camped outside Parliament. Gurung appealed to the group to call off their agitation.
The protests turned violent on Monday when some participants breached the Parliament complex, forcing police to use water cannons, tear gas, and live rounds to disperse them, eyewitnesses said. According to the PTI, clashes between protesters and police left 19 people dead and more than 300 others injured.
The demonstrations, largely driven by the youth, erupted after the controversial decision was announced, with police resorting to firing at multiple locations to disperse crowds.
The India-Nepal border has been put on alert a protests in Nepal, ANI reported, citing sources. The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), which guards the border, has stepped up vigilance and is closely monitoring developments to prevent any spillover of unrest into Indian territory. Officials stressed that the alert is “preventive in nature” and that the situation remains under control.
Nepal's home minister resigns
Nepal’s home minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned after violent protests, according to PTI citing Nepali Congress sources.
Lekhak, a Nepali Congress leader in the coalition government, stepped down on “moral grounds” amid nationwide outrage. The protests, led largely by youths, shook Kathmandu and several other cities before turning deadly.
Why were platforms banned?
The blackout, which began Friday, followed a government order blocking 26 social media platforms for failing to register locally. The list included Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, and Reddit.
At a Cabinet meeting chaired by Communications Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung, companies were given seven days to meet compliance rules: register with the ministry, appoint a grievance officer, name a compliance officer, and set up a point of contact in Nepal.
While some apps such as TikTok, Viber, Wetalk, and Nimbuzz have registered — and Telegram and Global Diary are in the process — major global platforms have yet to comply. Officials said access will be restored once requirements are met.
The decision came after a Supreme Court ruling in September 2024 directing stricter oversight of unlicensed platforms, OTT apps, and browsers. A joint bench of Justices Tek Prasad Dhungana and Shanti Singh Thapa had upheld petitions seeking regulation of ads and content.
Nepal’s blackout mirrors a global trend, with governments from the US and EU to India, Brazil, China, and Australia tightening controls on Big Tech amid concerns over misinformation, privacy, online safety, and national security.
You may also like
BBC bosses 'holding crisis meetings over Thomas Skinner's future on Strictly'
'Decision made by Netanyahu': Trump distances himself from Qatar attack; claims strike ordered by Israel
Trump gives three-word verdict on Israel's bombing of Qatar
Majorca panic as new kind of protesters cause chaos in hotels - not overtourism
Marc Guehi's three-word response after putting Liverpool transfer saga behind him
