Nepal has seen a significant rise in downloads of the Bitchat app amid anti-government protests and a social media ban.
Surge in Bitchat Downloads
Over 48,000 people in Nepal have downloaded the new messaging app Bitchat, developed by Jack Dorsey, amidst violent protests against corruption and a brief social media blackout. According to the developer, downloads surged after the government blocked Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube to limit the spread of anti-government content.
Deadly Clashes in Nepal
According to the **New York Times**, the protests, primarily led by the youth and Gen Z, quickly turned violent. Demonstrators set fire to the parliament and supreme court buildings, and security forces responded with live ammunition and tear gas. The clashes resulted in at least 19 deaths and hundreds of injuries. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has resigned amid corruption allegations.
Growing Demand for 'Freedom Tech'
The surge in downloads highlights a growing reliance on decentralized applications, sometimes referred to as 'freedom tech.' These apps serve as alternatives to centralized platforms that may censor content or enable government surveillance. Bitchat, launched in beta in July, allows for encrypted messaging without internet access via Bluetooth, requiring no accounts or central servers.
The situation in Nepal underscores the importance of decentralized applications against the backdrop of global trends toward privacy control and freedom of expression, especially in times of protest.
