- Widespread protests broke out in Kathmandu after the Nepali government blocked 26 social media platforms on September 4, 2025.
- The unrest led to at least 19 fatalities and the toppling of the sitting administration after demonstrators stormed government buildings on September 9.
- Bitchat, a decentralized messaging app that works via Bluetooth mesh networks without the internet, saw a major surge in downloads during the blackout.
- The app’s downloads in Nepal accounted for over 38% of its total installs, with more than 48,000 in one day alone, according to developer statements.
- Developers plan to add private financial features to Bitchat using the Cashu protocol for Bitcoin transactions alongside secure communication.
On September 4, 2025, the Nepali government blocked access to major social media services such as Facebook, X, YouTube, and Instagram. Young people in Kathmandu organized protests in response to the restrictions, demanding action against government corruption.
Five days later, on September 9, protests escalated as demonstrators stormed key government buildings and set them on fire. The resulting violence led to at least 19 deaths and the removal of the current administration, as reported by the BBC. In the days following the ban, authorities restored social media access and ordered an investigation into the incident.
During the interruption of internet services, many Nepalis began using Bitchat, a peer-to-peer messaging app that uses Bluetooth mesh technology to connect users without the need for internet, phone numbers, or servers. The app became popular on platforms like Reddit, where users recommended it as a solution in case of a nationwide internet blackout. “In the worst case, it could be the only method for communication that’s still available,” said Calle, the pseudonymous developer who created the Android version of the app.
According to Calle, Bitchat saw over 48,000 installations from Nepal on September 8 alone, with total Nepali downloads making up more than 38% of the app’s historical installs. The developer noted that similar patterns of increased downloads occurred previously in Indonesia during large-scale protests. Calle said, “Freedom tech is for the people. Please share.”
Bitchat’s design is deliberately resistant to censorship. Its use of Bluetooth mesh—where messages pass from device to device in close range—enables communication even when internet connections are blocked or monitored. The developer compared Bitchat’s mechanism to Bitcoin, emphasizing both are designed to work without centralized control or intermediaries.
Looking forward, Calle said the team plans to add the ability to send and receive Bitcoin payments within the app through Cashu, a protocol for sending Bitcoin privately. The developer explained that the eventual goal is to allow users to conduct secure commerce as well as private communication during times of government restriction.
Other alternatives were also discussed by Nepalis during the blackout, but Bitchat stood out for its ability to work entirely without internet infrastructure, helping sustain communication amid political unrest.
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