Nepal lifts social media ban after protests
The lift came after nationwide youth-led protests against corruption, economic hardship, and censorship, accusing officials of using the ban to suppress dissent and public outrage.
The Nepali government has lifted its ban on major social media platforms following days of nationwide protests led largely by youth demanding action against corruption.
The ban, which blocked access to 26 social media sites including WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube, was introduced in an effort to curb misinformation, online fraud, and hate speech, according to government officials.
However, critics accused the administration of using the restrictions to stifle dissent and silence public outrage.
Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Kathmandu and other major cities in Nepal, voicing frustration over rising unemployment, inflation, and what they described as a lack of accountability among political leaders.
The protests quickly gained momentum, with digital freedom becoming a central theme alongside anti-corruption demands.
The United Nations Office for the High Commissioner of Human Rights addressed the situation, stating: “We have received several deeply worrying allegations of unnecessary or disproportionate use of force by security forces during protests organized by youth groups demonstrating against corruption and the recent Government ban on social media platforms.”
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