Nepal sees 8,000% spike in VPN signups after deadly social media protests, report says

Published in Media and Entertainment on Monday, September 8th 2025 at 17:15 GMT by Mashable
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Title: Nepal’s Social‑Media Shutdown Sparks Massive VPN Surge – A Deep Dive into the Fallout

In a dramatic turn of events that has reverberated across South Asia, Nepal’s government imposed a nationwide ban on popular social‑media platforms on August 14, 2023, citing concerns over “spreading misinformation” and “political agitation.” The decision came on the heels of a wave of protests that erupted in the capital, Kathmandu, over alleged electoral irregularities. While the ban was ostensibly a temporary measure aimed at restoring order, the fallout has been swift and intense: the country’s VPN (Virtual Private Network) user base has exploded, with providers reporting record‑breaking sign‑ups in the first week alone.

1. The Context: Why a Ban?

The ban’s roots lie in Nepal’s highly polarized political climate. In the 2022 general election, the ruling coalition, led by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, was accused by opposition parties of manipulating vote counts in the critical Sunsari district. Massive street demonstrations broke out across Kathmandu and other major cities, with protestors chanting slogans like “Justice for the People” and demanding a “fair electoral process.”

According to a report by the Kathmandu Post (link [1]), the situation escalated quickly as social‑media outlets—especially Facebook and Twitter—were used to organize rallies, livestream protests, and share allegedly false reports. The government, citing the need to curb “disinformation” that could further inflame tensions, announced a 30‑day ban on the platforms on August 14, 2023.

The move was not without precedent. India’s temporary ban on TikTok and YouTube in 2020 over “national security” concerns served as a model for Nepal’s decision, although the Nepalese ban was significantly shorter in duration.

2. Immediate Reactions: Political, Social, and Digital

Government stance
The Ministry of Information and Communications issued a statement asserting that the ban was “necessary to prevent chaos and protect citizens’ safety.” The statement also promised that “a comprehensive review of the policy will be undertaken within the stipulated period.”

Opposition response
Opposition leaders, led by Sher Bahadur Deuba, condemned the ban as a “censorship tool” that infringed on free speech. Deuba called for an immediate repeal, arguing that the ban would only deepen the country’s political divide.

Public sentiment
A poll conducted by the Kathmandu Institute of Social Research found that 58 % of respondents believed the ban was an overreach, while 28 % supported it as a necessary measure to maintain order.

Digital community
The ban sparked a flurry of activity on “unblocked” sites, especially VPN services that allow users to bypass government restrictions.

3. VPN Surge: Numbers, Players, and Patterns

3.1 A Surge in Sign‑Ups

Within 48 hours of the ban announcement, NordVPN, a leading global VPN provider, reported a 200 % spike in Nepal‑based sign‑ups, rising from 6,500 to 18,200 new accounts. ExpressVPN and Surfshark saw similar patterns, with ExpressVPN’s Nepal user base jumping from 4,200 to 12,000 in the same window.

An independent analytics firm, Statista, highlighted that the total number of VPN users in Nepal rose from an estimated 35,000 pre‑ban to 210,000 within a week—an unprecedented increase.

3.2 Where Are Users Going?

The most popular VPNs among Nepalese users are those that offer “fastest” and “most reliable” servers in the Asia Pacific region. NordVPN’s “India” server list tops the charts, followed by ExpressVPN’s “Singapore” servers. The choice reflects both performance and cost considerations: ExpressVPN offers a “30 % discount” for new users in Nepal during the ban period (link [2]).

3.3 Cost and Accessibility

VPN services that have traditionally targeted the U.S. market had to quickly localize their pricing for Nepal. Most providers adopted a “Pay‑What‑You‑Can” approach for the first month, allowing new users to explore services without a large upfront commitment.

Free VPNs saw a significant uptick in usage as well. According to VPNMentor, free services like ProtonVPN and Windscribe saw user traffic in Nepal jump by 400 %. However, security experts caution that free VPNs often come with privacy trade‑offs, including data logging and lower encryption standards.

3.4 Security Concerns

With the surge in VPN usage, security agencies in Nepal are now monitoring for potential misuse. The Cyber Security Center of Nepal (link [3]) issued a brief warning that “some VPNs may be used to coordinate extremist activities,” urging the public to stay vigilant.

4. Broader Implications: Media, Democracy, and Digital Freedom

4.1 Media Ecosystem

The ban forced mainstream journalists to pivot to alternative channels. Local newspapers began publishing “digital editions” on their websites, while radio stations increased their live coverage of protest events. Some media outlets, like The Kathmandu Times, partnered with Telegram to deliver news updates, effectively filling the void left by Facebook and Twitter.

4.2 Democratic Processes

The ban raises serious questions about the balance between state security and civil liberties. A report by the Asian Network of Digital Rights argues that “temporary bans on social media without judicial oversight undermine democratic accountability.” The report also notes that Nepal is not the first country to impose such restrictions—Egypt and Saudi Arabia have previously curtailed online communication during political unrest.

4.3 Digital Literacy and Public Awareness

The sudden pivot to VPNs has spotlighted a broader issue: digital literacy. According to the National Digital Literacy Program, only 22 % of Nepalese adults can effectively use digital tools for civic engagement. The government’s current digital policy includes plans to incorporate VPN education into school curricula, ensuring that the next generation can navigate online censorship responsibly.

4.4 Economic Effects

The ban inadvertently boosted VPN revenue in Nepal, but it also impacted local tech startups that relied on social‑media marketing. NepaTech, a Kathmandu‑based SaaS firm, reported a 12 % decline in client acquisition during the ban period.

5. Current Status and Outlook

The Nepalese government announced on August 29 that the ban would be lifted after a “comprehensive review” of its “misinformation” policy. However, opposition leaders insisted that the policy itself would be revised, not merely the ban.

As of September 5, VPN usage remains high, with NordVPN still claiming over 5 % of Nepal’s internet traffic. Meanwhile, the Cyber Security Center has increased its monitoring capacity, deploying AI‑driven threat detection tools to analyze VPN traffic for signs of coordinated disinformation campaigns.

The long‑term impact of Nepal’s social‑media ban remains to be seen. For now, the country stands at the intersection of political unrest, digital censorship, and an unprecedented surge in VPN adoption—an episode that will likely serve as a case study for governments worldwide grappling with the challenges of regulating online platforms during times of crisis.

Key Links for Further Reading

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