Nepal social media ban sparks mass protests, resulting in deaths; VPN registrations increase 8000%
The Nepalese government has ordered internet service providers to block access to major social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter (formerly known as X), from within the country. This has sparked protests, primarily among young people, and has led to a reported 8,000% increase in VPN registrations.
19 Killed in Nepal 'Gen Z' Protests Over Social Media Ban and Corruption - The New York Times
Massive protests in Nepal over social media ban - The Tribune
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/world/massive-protests-in-nepal-over-social-media-ban/
Nepal sees 8,000% spike in VPN use after censorship protests | Mashable
https://mashable.com/article/nepal-vpn-signups-surge-after-social-media-ban-protests
On September 4, 2025, local time, it was revealed that the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology of Nepal issued an instruction to internet service providers to restrict access to 26 social media platforms. The reason the Nepalese government attempted to block the social media platforms is because they do not comply with Nepal's registration regulations. The social media platforms that will be blocked include Discord, Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, WeChat, Reddit, Snapchat, YouTube, and X. TikTok, however, reportedly complied with the registration regulations in 2024, which allowed it to circumvent the current access blockage.
Nepal blocks Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X over rule breach, amid censorship concerns | TechCrunch
https://techcrunch.com/2025/09/04/nepal-blocks-facebook-instagram-youtube-x-over-rule-breach-amid-censorship-concerns/
Nepal's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has issued a notice stating that services may be removed from the banned list by complying with registration regulations.
According to data from the Nepal Telecommunications Authority, the country's internet penetration rate is over 90%. According to data from analytics company Statcounter, 87% of social media users in the country use Facebook, followed by X (6%) and YouTube (5%).
While the social media ban is already fully implemented, the bill has yet to pass parliament, sparking growing discontent, particularly among young people. The New York Times reports that 'the ban has unleashed years of anger over government corruption and economic inequality, leading to violent protests by Gen Z.'
The Gen Z-led protests have led to clashes with local security forces, with at least 19 people killed and dozens injured, according to
Thousands of young people gathered in front of the Parliament building in the center of Kathmandu, Nepal's capital, to demand the immediate lifting of the social media ban. Protests have since spread to Pokhara, Butwal, Bhairahawa, Bharatpur, Itahari, and Damak districts. According to local police, 17 people were killed in the Kathmandu protests, and two protesters were killed by police fire in Sunsari. Witnesses to the protests reported that riots broke out when some demonstrators broke into the Parliament building, and police used water cannons, tear gas, and live ammunition to quell the violence.
19 killed in Nepal in protests over social media ban, Army deployed - YouTube
Other videos of protests taken by citizens are being shared on Google Drive and other platforms.
Nepal's Ministry of Health said at least 347 protesters were injured and were being treated in hospital.
Proton VPN, a popular VPN service, revealed that the number of new sign-ups for its service has increased by 8,000% since September 4th, when the social media ban came into effect. The graph below summarizes the daily growth rate of new sign-ups for Proton VPN since the end of August 2025. We can see that the number of new sign-ups has increased explosively since September 4th.
When Pornhub, a major adult video service, withdrew from France, Proton VPN reported that its subscriber base increased by 1,000% in just 30 minutes after access to Pornhub was blocked in France.
Major adult video site Pornhub withdrew from France, and within 30 minutes VPN service subscribers increased by 1000%, a more impressive figure than TikTok's withdrawal from the US - GIGAZINE
in Web Service, Video, Posted by logu_ii