Nepal is engulfed in violent protests triggered by the government’s decision to ban 26 major social media platforms. The directive came after the platforms failed to comply with a government directive to formally register with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.
While the ban has now been lifted and PM KP Sharma Oli has resigned, at least 16 people have been killed in spiralling protests against not only censorship, but also deep-seated anger against government corruption.
Nepal is just the latest among a series of countries that have curbed access to social media in times of war or political agitation. Here’s a look at a few others that have resorted to a similar strategy to contain unrest:
China has long operated one of the most far-reaching systems of internet censorship in the world, a framework commonly referred to as the ‘Great Firewall.’ This regime began intensifying in 2009, when the government blocked access to Facebook and Twitter in the wake of ethnic riots in Xinjiang, citing concerns over the platforms being used to organise protests and spread unrest. Since then, bans have been imposed on a wide range of global platforms, including WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Google services, and even TikTok, despite its Chinese origins.
The Chinese government has strategically promoted domestic alternatives such as WeChat, Weibo, and Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok), which are subject to strict state surveillance and content moderation.
North Korea has completely banned all Western social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, as they are considered tools of foreign influence.
Access to the global internet is severely restricted and is available only to a small, elite cohort, primarily high-ranking government officials, scientists, and select academics. Even for this privileged group, internet usage is closely monitored and filtered. The vast majority of North Koreans are confined to a state-controlled intranet known as ‘Kwangmyong’, which offers access only to a limited number of government-approved websites and educational material. There is no access to international news, social media, or independent sources of information.
Also read: Should we really ban social media?
Iran frequently blocks social media platforms with recent near-total internet blackouts occurring in June and other widespread restrictions in response to protests in 2022. The government has also blocked other popular international platforms like Facebook, X, and Telegram, in the past, promoting domestic alternatives instead. To enforce its censorship policies, Iran employs a system of “smart filtering”, which selectively blocks or restricts access to content deemed inappropriate or threatening to the government. During periods of heightened tension, even platforms that are typically accessible are temporarily restricted or banned to limit communication and coordination among protesters.
Iran has partnered with China to develop a national internet infrastructure, which would allow for even greater surveillance and isolation from the global web. The government promotes domestic alternatives like Aparat (a video-sharing platform) and Soroush (a messaging app), which are subject to state oversight and censorship.
Since the onset of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia has significantly escalated its crackdown on foreign social media platforms, implementing sweeping bans and restrictions in the name of national security and information control. Major platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and TikTok have either been fully banned or are heavily restricted. The Russian government has gone so far as to officially designate Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, as an “extremist organisation”, criminalising its operations within the country.
Central to this ban is the Sovereign Internet Law, which allows the state to isolate Russian internet traffic from the global web. This law enables authorities to reroute online data through state-controlled infrastructure, giving them the power to block content, throttle access, or even shut down the internet regionally or nationally if deemed necessary.
In addition to outright bans, Russia has placed increasing pressure on platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram, demanding compliance with strict data localisation laws and content takedown requests.
As recently as September 8, Turkey reportedly imposed fresh restrictions on access to several major social media platforms, including X, YouTube, WhatsApp, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram. These measures were taken in anticipation of opposition-led protests in Istanbul, reflecting a broader pattern of digital suppression that has become increasingly common in the country.
Turkey has a long history of temporarily banning or throttling social media platforms. For example, in August 2024, the government blocked Instagram after it limited visibility of posts related to the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, an event that sparked controversy and public outcry.
In August 2024, Bangladesh imposed temporary restrictions on access to several major social media platforms amid widespread protests against proposed education reforms. Officials cited concerns over the rapid spread of disinformation, the potential for inciting unrest, and the need to maintain public safety during a volatile period. Bangladesh also has a history of resorting to digital blackouts and platform-specific bans during times of political tension, civil unrest, or national emergencies. These measures are often accompanied by increased surveillance of online activity.
In 2024, Brazil took the unprecedented step of temporarily banning X after the platform failed to comply with the country’s anti-disinformation laws. The government demanded stricter content moderation, particularly around elections and public health, citing concerns over the spread of false information that could undermine democratic processes and endanger public safety. Platforms that do not meet Brazil’s regulatory standards face a range of penalties, including fines, legal action, and potential access restrictions.
In the lead-up to the 2021 general elections, the Ugandan government blocked access to Facebook and X, accusing the platforms of bias and interference in domestic affairs. This was part of a broader strategy to limit opposition voices and control the flow of information during the electoral process. Earlier, in 2018, Uganda introduced a controversial social media tax, requiring users to pay a daily fee to access platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and X. Officials claimed the tax was meant to curb “gossip” and “idle talk”, but critics condemned it as an attempt to suppress free speech and limit civic engagement.
Following the military coup in 2021, Myanmar’s ruling junta launched a ban on digital communication. The government shut down internet access and blocked platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and X, which were being used by citizens to organise protests, share real-time updates, and draw international attention to the unfolding crisis. The shutdown had devastating consequences, severely disrupting communication, access to news, and emergency services, while isolating the population from the outside world.