What are the 26 social media apps banned in Nepal? Check full list

In a significant move that has sparked widespread protests, the Nepalese government has banned 26 social media applications, igniting outrage among Gen Z demonstrators who took to the streets. The protests escalated dramatically, with reports of vandalism at parliament gates and clashes with police, resulting in injuries and potential casualties among the protestors. The government's decision to impose the ban stems from the apps' failure to register with local authorities. This action followed a meeting involving Communication and Information Technology Minister Prithivi Subba Gurung, ministry officials, and representatives from the Nepal Telecommunication Authority, telecom operators, and internet service providers. After a seven-day registration deadline lapsed last week, popular platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and X were prohibited from operating in the country. The list of banned applications includes major names like YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, and Snapchat, along with a variety of others such as Reddit, Discord, and Pinterest. However, some apps, including Viber and TikTok, escaped the ban due to their compliance with registration requirements. Meanwhile, Telegram and Global Diary are in the process of registering with the government. In a speech delivered on Sunday, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli defended the controversial ban, emphasizing the importance of national sovereignty over the potential job losses for a few individuals. He stated, "The independence of the nation is greater than the loss of jobs of a handful of individuals," and condemned any disregard for the law and national dignity. Although the government insists it issued several warnings to social media platforms, the legislative framework cited for the ban, known as the "Operation, Use, and Regulation of Social Media in Nepal," has yet to be ratified by parliament.