The Nepalese government has banned popular social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. This move, enforced through new regulations, has sparked both criticism and innovative circumvention methods by Nepalese citizens.
Following the implementation of the ban, a surge in Virtual Private Network (VPN) usage has been observed, allowing users to bypass restrictions and access the blocked platforms.
Deepak Raj Awasthi, spokesperson for the Nepal Cyber Police, confirmed an increase in VPN usage. Despite the potential security risks associated with VPNs, their use is widespread. Authorities are actively monitoring the situation.
The use of VPNs, while risky, is a common practice. Google Trends data indicates that searches for ‘VPN for laptop,’ ‘VPN for iPhone,’ and ‘VPN for Facebook’ have surged in Nepal within the past 24 hours.
Members of the Internet Service Providers’ Association have reported that they can continue to access Facebook and Instagram without disruption. The association is currently formulating a plan in response to a government directive, with further actions to follow. Individuals in border areas are also experiencing minimal difficulty using these platforms.
The government’s decision, announced on September 4th, involves the banning of 26 social networking apps. According to Communication Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung, the action is a result of new legislation enacted in 2023 at the behest of the Supreme Court.
The law mandates the registration of all social networking sites in Nepal, with mandatory re-registration every three years.
Additionally, each social media app is required to appoint a contact officer in Nepal to promptly address instances of inappropriate content. Furthermore, these apps must ensure that user data is protected from unauthorized disclosure.
In the wake of the ban, the Nepalese government has initiated contact with Meta, with the potential for a resolution within a week. Meta oversees the operations of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads in Nepal.