{"id":80728,"date":"2025-09-11T18:35:51","date_gmt":"2025-09-11T15:35:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forklog.com\/en\/?p=80728"},"modified":"2025-09-11T18:42:45","modified_gmt":"2025-09-11T15:42:45","slug":"bitchat-kept-communication-flowing-during-protests-in-indonesia-and-nepal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forklog.com\/en\/bitchat-kept-communication-flowing-during-protests-in-indonesia-and-nepal\/","title":{"rendered":"BitChat kept communication flowing during protests in Indonesia and Nepal"},"content":{"rendered":"

On September 8, protests erupted in Nepal\u2019s capital. The \u201cGeneration Z protests,\u201d as they were later dubbed, were sparked by a ban on 26 popular social networks, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and YouTube. The restriction became a decisive factor in mounting discontent with officials suspected of corruption.<\/p>\n

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A call to protest online. Source: a post by the user Delulu_nana<\/a>, r\/Nepal, Reddit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The violent stand-off with law enforcement, which lasted for nearly two days and saw police use weapons against civilians, led to the ransacking of administrative buildings and widespread arson. At the time of writing, the death toll had risen to 30 and the number of injured had exceeded 1,000.<\/p>\n

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Fire at the Singha Durbar complex, which houses the office of Nepal\u2019s prime minister and other ministries. Source: Reuters<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On September 9, Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli, who had found himself at the centre of corruption allegations, resigned; social-media restrictions were lifted. The army expressed support for the people and is seeking dialogue with protesters to stabilise the situation.<\/p>\n

On September 11, around 13:00 local time, posts<\/a> on the r\/Nepal subreddit reported easing tensions in Kathmandu and a return to normal life.<\/p>\n

Encrypted uprisings<\/h2>\n

On the first day of the protests, Nepalis formed a large organised Generation Z<\/span> mesh network<\/span>. Cut off from familiar social media amid the clashes, they turned to an alternative channel \u2014 the Bluetooth messenger BitChat<\/a>. One of the app\u2019s developers, who goes by \u201ccalle,\u201d said so on September 10.<\/p>\n

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Last week, we observed a sudden spike in bitchat downloads from Indonesia during nationwide protests.<\/p>\n

Today we’re seeing an even bigger spike from Nepal during youth protests over government corruption and a social media ban.<\/p>\n

Freedom tech is for the people. Please share. pic.twitter.com\/IqhRa8eCvw<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 calle (@callebtc) September 10, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n