Kathmandu, Nepal — Protests led by young Nepalis against the government’s sudden ban on TikTok and other social media platforms have turned deadly, leaving at least 14 people killed and dozens injured.
Security forces reportedly opened fire on demonstrators after crowds defied curfews and rallied in several cities, demanding the reinstatement of digital freedoms.
The government defended the ban as a measure to “protect social order,” but civil society groups and opposition leaders accused authorities of stifling free expression and targeting Gen Z activists who have used social media to organize politically.
International rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have called for restraint, warning that Nepal risks sliding into a digital dictatorship if the crackdown continues.
