Nepal reverses social media ban as protests turn deadly | TechCrunch

"Nepal has made a dramatic U-turn, reversing a social media ban imposed last week after the decision sparked nationwide "Gen Z" protests that reportedly left at least 19 people dead. The ban, which blocked access to 26 platforms including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X, was imposed following an August 25 directive requiring foreign social media companies to register their operations in Nepal and appoint a local contact within seven days."

"Monday's reversal came just hours after thousands of people, many of them students in school uniforms, flooded the streets across Nepal, demanding an end to the social media blackout. The youth-led protests escalated into violent clashes with security forces in several areas, resulting in the deaths of at least 19 demonstrators and leaving more than 100 others injured, according to local media reports."

Nepal revoked a ban on 26 social media platforms after massive youth-led protests over a government directive requiring foreign platforms to register and appoint local contacts. The directive followed an August 25 deadline; access was cut when most platforms did not comply. Thousands of protesters, many students, took to the streets demanding an end to the blackout. Clashes between demonstrators and security forces escalated, leaving at least 19 people dead and more than 100 injured. International organizations and human rights groups called for respect for peaceful assembly and freedom of expression amid rising concern.

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