Nepal Protests Fuel Adoption of Decentralized Messaging App Bitchat

Following sweeping social media restrictions that triggered violent protests in Nepal, citizens turned to decentralized messaging apps. The country witnessed a surge in downloads for Jack Dorsey’s Bitchat app as protestors sought alternative communication tools amid the government’s crackdown on mainstream platforms. This comes after several months of growing anger over alleged corruption and inequalities, fueled by hashtags like #NepoKids that showcased stark differences between politicians’ children’s lavish lifestyles and ordinary citizens’ struggles.