Nepal VPN sign-ups surge 8000 percent after social media ban sparks deadly protests

Kathmandu: When Nepal blocked access to Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and several other platforms, many citizens rushed to find ways to stay connected online.

One clear indicator of this shift came from Proton VPN, a Swiss-based provider, which reported an unprecedented rise in demand.

In a post on X, the company revealed, “Proton VPN sign-ups originating in Nepal continue to accelerate: 500% → 6,000% in just 3 days.”

The service provider noted a 6,000 percent increase in registrations within three days of the restrictions.

How much higher did the figures go?

According to Mashable, the numbers were even greater. Citing a graph from Proton VPN’s website, it reported that the company had seen an 8,000 percent surge in new users after the government order came into effect on September 4.

Sign-ups reportedly began climbing on September 3 and shot up further once full access to social media was cut off the following day.

What triggered the protests?

The clampdown on social media triggered a wave of anger, particularly among young people identifying themselves as Generation Z. The demonstrations quickly escalated into violence, fuelled not only by frustration over the ban but also by wider grievances linked to corruption.

Nepal’s authorities blocked access to 26 different social media sites, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Reddit.

The unrest that followed left at least 19 people dead in clashes with security forces in Kathmandu. More than 400 others were injured as protests intensified after the ban was enforced on 8 September.

Were the restrictions permanent?

The ban was lifted late on Monday, though not before days of turmoil across the country.

Government officials defended the move, insisting it was linked to regulatory requirements. They argued that the platforms had been taken offline because they had not formally registered with Nepal’s authorities.

(With agency inputs)