The Nepalese government’s decision to ban social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, has prompted citizens to seek alternative means of accessing these sites. The ban, enforced through new legal measures, has led to widespread adoption of VPNs.
In response to the ban, there has been a noticeable increase in the utilization of VPNs. This allows users to bypass the government’s restrictions and continue using the banned social media platforms.
According to the Nepal Cyber Police, there is a significant increase in VPN usage, even though VPNs are not always secure. The authorities are closely monitoring the situation.
VPN usage, though potentially risky, is the prevailing method of access. Google Trends data shows a surge in searches for ‘VPN for laptop,’ ‘VPN for iPhone,’ and ‘VPN for Facebook’ in Nepal over the past 24 hours.
Internet service providers are currently able to use Facebook and Instagram without experiencing interruptions. They are preparing a plan in response to a government directive. Users in border regions also face minimal difficulty accessing these platforms.
The Nepalese government’s decision, which came into effect on September 4th, involved the banning of 26 social networking apps. Communication Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung stated that this decision was in line with the new regulations, which were developed following a 2023 Supreme Court request.
The law requires all social networking sites to register in Nepal. These sites will also need to reregister every three years.
Furthermore, each social media platform is required to appoint a contact officer in Nepal to promptly handle any instances of inappropriate content. These platforms are also responsible for ensuring the privacy of user data.
Following the ban, the Nepalese government has contacted Meta, with a possible resolution of the dispute anticipated within a week. Meta handles the operations of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads in Nepal.