Redazione RHC : 9 September 2025 19:12
In a dramatic reversal, Nepal has lifted the nationwide social media blackout imposed last week after it sparked massive youth protests and caused at least 19 deaths, according to local media.
The decision was announced on September 8 by Communications and Information Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung, who said that the government was responding to public outrage and tension on the streets. The government also promised to pay for the victims’ medical care and established a committee to investigate the causes of the tragedy and submit proposals within two weeks.
The blockade affected 26 platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X. The restrictions were a direct continuation of the August 25 directive: foreign platforms were ordered to register their businesses in Nepal and appoint a local representative within seven days.
Because most companies ignored the deadline, access to their services was disabled last week. Some platforms were not blocked: TikTok and Viber met the requirements before the deadline and were added to the registry.
The deletion coincided with the most intense day of protests. On September 8, thousands of people, many of them teenagers in school uniforms, filled the streets of cities across the country, demanding access to social media. The protests degenerated into clashes with security forces; at least 19 people were killed and over a hundred were injured, according to Nepalese media.
As the unrest intensified, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli claimed the unrest was being fueled by “outsiders,” but stressed that the government had not rejected the demands of the new generation and was ready for dialogue.
As security forces gathered reinforcements, fires and violent demonstrations broke out in the city near government buildings and the residences of high-ranking politicians. According to local media reports, protesters entered the grounds of the parliamentary complex and destroyed buildings along the line of confrontation with the ruling parties.
The feeds of Indian and Nepalese publications also recorded operational incidents, from the evacuation of officials by army helicopters to the coordination of protest columns on messaging platforms and gaming chats. Notably, some of the calls to action were spread via Discord, and by evening, an army was at work near the ministerial quarters.
The political impact was immediate.First, Interior Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned, then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, under pressure from both the streets and his coalition allies. Amid the unrest, the Kathmandu administration closed Tribhuvan International Airport and canceled all flights, citing unprecedented security risks.
The government’s decision has been criticized by international organizations. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has reminded Nepalese authorities of the need to guarantee freedom of peaceful assembly and expression. Amnesty International and other human rights organizations had warned, even before the social media shutdown, that mass filtering and violent responses to protests are undermining fundamental civil liberties.
Despite the unblocking of social media and the change of prime minister, the tension is not over yet. In Kathmandu, restrictions on movement remain in place, police and the army are patrolling key intersections, and activists are planning mourning events and demanding answers to questions about the deaths and the future of online platform regulation.
The blockade is part of Kathmandu’s broader attempt to tighten rules for digital platforms. In the spring, the government introduced a social media bill, which is still awaiting approval.
The documentprescribes fines and prison sentences for publications that authorities deem “contrary to national sovereignty or interests.” The International Federation of Journalists described the initiative as a threat to press freedom and digital expression.
Red Hot Cyber’s thoughts are with the 19 victims and their loved ones.
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