Imagine waking up to find your favorite apps like Facebook and WhatsApp suddenly gone. That's what hit folks in Nepal last week, sparking a wave of anger that turned streets into battlegrounds.
Young protesters, fed up with the government's move, grabbed a clever workaround: a messaging tool from Twitter's old boss, Jack Dorsey. The trouble started around September 4, when Nepal's leaders blocked 26 big platforms. They said it was because companies ignored a deadline to sign up under new rules. But for many in Kathmandu and beyond, it felt like a gag on free talk.
Protests exploded, mostly led by Gen Z kids calling out corruption and favoritism in high places. Things got ugly fast—clashes with police left 19 dead and hundreds hurt by September 8. Buildings burned, including spots near Parliament, as crowds chanted for change. In the chaos, over 48,000 Nepalis downloaded Bitchat, Dorsey's beta app that lets people chat peer-to-peer via Bluetooth. No internet needed, no government snooping. It shot up from just a few thousand downloads the week before.
Dorsey, launched it in July for secure, off-grid talks—perfect for dodging bans. The ban lifted by September 9, and even Prime Minister stepped down amid the fury. But the real win? It shows how tech can empower regular people against heavy-handed rules. Makes you wonder: what if more folks worldwide picked up tools like this when the heat's on?
