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2d ago

Nepal’s Social Media Ban Laid Bare a Fragile Lifeline in a Remittance-Driven Society

Analysts say cutting platforms severed lifelines for migrants’ families, fueling a youth-led anti-corruption uprising.

Image
Flames come out from the residence of Nepal President Ram Chandra Poudel in Kathmandu after it was set on fire by protesters on Tuesday during a protest against social media ban and corruption. (Photo: AP)
Lessons from Nepal Protest: Social Media No Pastime, But a Central Utility | Image: Republic

Overview

  • The government blocked more than two dozen platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube and X, citing non-compliance with registration rules, then lifted the ban within days after unrest turned deadly.
  • At least 19 people were reported killed and hundreds injured as security forces confronted largely youth-led demonstrations across the country.
  • Remittances accounted for over 33% of Nepal’s GDP in 2024, and low-cost messaging apps functioned as essential communication and money-coordination tools for families split across borders.
  • Data show the disruption hit a highly connected population, with 48.1% of Nepalis active on social media overall and 73% among adults, in a country with a large youth cohort.
  • What began as a platform shutdown escalated into a broader anti-corruption movement that, according to reporting, helped topple the government and spotlighted a wider global retreat in internet freedoms.