Nepal is facing significant protests following a ban on access to 26 social media platforms. During this time, the app Bitchat, created by Jack Dorsey, saw a notable increase in downloads.
Situation in Nepal
On September 4, protests began in Kathmandu against accusations of government corruption and a sudden communication blackout. The protests quickly escalated into a nationwide movement, resulting in violent clashes between protesters and police. Reports indicated that at least 30 people were killed and over 1,000 were injured as a result of the unrest.
Popularity of Bitchat
During the blackout, many young people turned to Bitchat to stay connected. Downloads surged from just over 3,300 in the week before protests to nearly 49,000 on September 8, accounting for more than a third of total installs at that time.
Developers' Response
Calle, one of the app's developers, commented: "Last week, we noticed a sudden surge in Bitchat downloads from Indonesia during nationwide protests. Today we're seeing an even bigger jump from Nepal amid youth protests against government corruption and a social media ban."
As the situation in Nepal unfolds with protests and censorship, the rise in Bitchat's popularity highlights the app's role as a key communication tool in restricted environments.
