The Nepalese government has lifted its order to block social media platforms such as Facebook, X, YouTube and others, after various services failed to register as requested by the government. The withdrawal was made after riots by protesting citizens that resulted in 19 deaths and more than 100 injuries reported so far.
At the same time, the Nepalese government will provide assistance to the families of the victims and provide free treatment to the injured. An investigation panel will be formed to find out the cause, calculate the cost of the damage and recommend actions that can be taken to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
Street protests, dubbed the “Gen Z demonstrations,” took place last weekend shortly after the government issued a ban on social media platforms. Young people demonstrated because the government was seen as failing to eradicate the issue of corruption and increase economic opportunities for the younger generation.
Before the ban was issued, the government asked social media service operators to register by providing local employees who could be contacted, including appointing individuals who would be responsible for personally monitoring the services. So far only a few have registered, such as TikTok and Viber.