Protests erupted in Nepal on Monday after a controversial social media ban was enacted, limiting access to the majority of social media platforms. The youth-driven “Gen Z” rallies against the ban and government corruption led to a brutal crackdown, with the BBC reporting that 19 demonstrators lost their lives. The New York Times also referenced local media sources stating that 400 individuals have sustained injuries during the ongoing protests.

Amid the demonstrations, a well-known VPN provider recorded an 8,000 percent surge in signups, likely allowing Nepali users to restore access to social media.

The situation started when Nepal instituted a ban that prohibited access to 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Reddit, as well as newer services like Threads, Discord, and Mastodon. Nepali authorities informed the New York Times that these platforms had failed to register with the government.

TikTok avoided the ban by registering in 2024, and Telegram is reportedly in the process of registering. In addition to official registration, each social media entity must have a local point of contact to manage misinformation and abuse. Nepal’s Ministry of Communication and Information Technology issued a notice indicating that companies can be removed from the ban list once they register.

Despite the ban being fully enforced, many individuals are frustrated because the bill has yet to be approved by parliament, resulting in allegations of government censorship. The social media ban has reportedly exacerbated pre-existing discontent regarding government corruption and economic disparity, igniting the explosive Gen Z protests on Monday, as reported by the Times. In the meantime, many Nepalis are discovering alternative means to access the internet.

As the ban was enforced on Sept. 4, Proton VPN observed an 8,000 percent increase in new users for its VPN services, which can bypass geographical restrictions on certain websites or applications. Proton VPN shared a graph illustrating a spike in new users in Nepal starting on Sept. 3, with numbers surging after Sept. 4 when the ban was entirely in effect. Proton VPN ranks among the most favored VPN services, recognized for its robust privacy capabilities.

The company has experienced similar spikes in signups in response to significant bans in other nations. For instance, after PornHub was recently blocked in France, Proton VPN signups surged by 1,000 percent.

According to a Reuters report, law enforcement reacted to the civil unrest with tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets. The situation escalated when protesters breached the parliament complex in Kathmandu.