"Protests erupted in Nepal on Monday after a controversial social media ban blocked people in the country from accessing most forms of social media. The youth-led "Gen Z" protests over the social media ban and government corruption triggered a violent reaction, and the BBC reported that 19 protesters have been killed. The New York Times also cited local media reports that said 400 people have been injured in the ongoing protests."
"The trouble began when Nepal passed a ban that removed access to 26 social media platforms, including legacy platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Reddit, along with newer platforms like Threads, Discord, and Mastodon. Authorities in Nepal told the New York Times these platforms have not registered with the Nepali government. TikTok was able to circumvent the ban by registering back in 2024, and Telegram is reportedly in the process of registering right now."
"While the ban has been enacted in full, many people are angry because the bill hasn't passed the country's parliament, sparking charges of government censorship. The social media ban reportedly caused lingering anger over government corruption and economic inequality to boil over, leading to the explosive Gen Z protests that occurred Monday, as the Times reported. Meanwhile, many Nepali people are finding other ways to get online."
Nepal implemented a ban blocking access to 26 social media platforms, requiring official registration and a local point of contact. The ban targeted platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Reddit, Threads, Discord, and Mastodon, while TikTok registered in 2024 and Telegram is reportedly seeking registration. The measure sparked youth-led Gen Z protests against both the social media restrictions and perceived government corruption and economic inequality. Security forces responded violently, with reports of many killed and hundreds injured. Many Nepalis sought technical workarounds, including a large surge in VPN signups, to regain online access.
Read at Mashable
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