Nepal Bans 26 Social Media Apps Including WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube; Sparks ‘Gen Z Revolution’
Nepal bans 26 social media apps including WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn. The crackdown sparks mass protests called the “Gen Z Revolution.”
Students in Kathmandu protest after Nepal bans 26 social media apps, including Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and YouTube.
26 popular social media and communication apps, such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and WhatsApp, have been banned in Nepal because the companies did not register with the government in accordance with the new digital regulations. The action has sparked widespread student-led protests that have been dubbed the "Gen Z Revolution."
The Reason for the Prohibition
In accordance with the Managing the Use of Social Networks, 2023 directives, which mandate that all social media platforms register with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MoCIT), the government implemented the ban.
Global tech behemoths like YouTube, X (Twitter), Reddit, LinkedIn, and Meta-owned apps (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger) did not submit applications even though they were given seven days (August 28–September 3) to comply.
As a result, the ban came into effect at midnight on September 4, with Communications Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung stating that Nepal would enforce strict compliance.
Full List of 26 Banned Apps in Nepal
- Facebook – Social Media
- Facebook Messenger – Messaging
- Instagram – Social Media
- WhatsApp – Messaging
- YouTube – Video Sharing
- X (formerly Twitter) – Microblogging
- LinkedIn – Professional Networking
- Snapchat – Social Media
- Reddit – Community Forum
- Discord – Messaging / Community
- Pinterest – Visual Discovery
- Signal – Messaging
- Threads – Microblogging
- WeChat – Messaging / Social Media
- Quora – Q&A Community
- Tumblr – Blogging / Social
- Clubhouse – Audio Chat
- Mastodon – Microblogging
- Rumble – Video Sharing
- MeWe – Social Media
- VK (VKontakte) – Social Media
- Line – Messaging
- IMO – Messaging
- Zalo – Messaging
- Soul – Social Networking
- Hamro Patro – Local Nepali App
The "Gen Z Revolution" and protests
Student-led protests have been held all over Nepal as a result of the ban's disruption of media, communications, and business operations.
Thousands of young activists demonstrated against the ban, government corruption, and the erosion of democratic freedoms on September 8 at Kathmandu's Parliament.
Police allegedly used tear gas, rubber bullets, and even live rounds during the violent clashes with security forces that broke out during the demonstrations, killing 14 people and injuring more than 100. Since then, curfews have been enforced in the central parts of Kathmandu, including the government seat, Singha Durbar.
What Lies Ahead?
The sweeping ban marks one of South Asia’s most dramatic crackdowns on digital freedoms. With communication channels shut down and youth anger rising, Nepal now faces both domestic unrest and international criticism over its internet governance policies.
