Downloads of Bitchat, an encrypted messaging app developed by Twitter founder Jack Dorsey, have surged in Nepal following the government’s decision to block access to 26 major social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube.
The blackout sparked protests on September 4 in Kathmandu, which quickly escalated into a nationwide movement against corruption and government overreach. By September 8, demonstrations had turned violent as protesters clashed with police, stormed Parliament, and set fire to administrative buildings, including the Singha Durbar complex that houses the prime minister’s office. Reports say at least 30 people were killed and more than 1,000 injured during two days of unrest.
Amid mounting pressure, Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli resigned on September 9, and the government lifted the social media ban. The army later announced its support for dialogue with citizens.
With mainstream platforms offline, young people flocked to Bitchat, which uses Bluetooth mesh technology to pass encrypted messages phone-to-phone without requiring the internet, accounts, or servers. The app also includes a panic mode, allowing users to instantly wipe all data.
Bitchat downloads in Nepal jumped from just 3,300 the week before the protests to nearly 49,000 by September 8, making up more than a third of its total installs. One of the developers, known as calle, called the app “freedom tech”, designed to help people stay connected when governments restrict or monitor communication.
Nepal isn’t the only hotspot. Earlier in the month, downloads spiked in Indonesia, where nationwide protests erupted over lawmakers’ benefits, with 11,000 new installs on September 3 alone. Rising adoption has also been reported in Russia, the U.S., and India, pointing to Bitchat’s growing role in resistance movements worldwide.
