From Kathmandu to Cairo: How countries are cracking down on social media

Countries such as China, Egypt, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and India are among the most prominent examples where social media is heavily restricted for political reasons

Nepal is witnessing one of its most turbulent moments in recent history after the KP Sharma Oli government banned 16 social media platforms, triggering nationwide protests that left around 20 people dead and 300 injured on September 8, 2025.

While the unrest in Nepal is fueled by broader anger over corruption, privilege, and inequality, the social media blackout has become the flashpoint. The move has also brought renewed attention to a growing global pattern: governments across the world restricting or outright banning online platforms to tighten control over political discourse.

A Global Trend of Digital Restrictions

Countries such as China, Egypt, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and India are among the most prominent examples where social media is heavily restricted for political reasons. Some bans are temporary—often imposed during elections or unrest—while others are permanent and backed by sweeping censorship laws.

The reasons vary, but they often converge on the same goals: controlling information, silencing dissent, and reinforcing political or cultural agendas.

Brazil: Targeting Disinformation

Earlier this year, Brazil temporarily banned X (formerly Twitter) after the platform failed to comply with the country’s anti-disinformation laws. Authorities argued that tech companies must take stronger action against false content on elections and public health, warning of fines and legal action for non-compliance.

India: The TikTok Ban

India banned TikTok and several other Chinese apps in 2020, citing national security and data privacy concerns. Millions of Indian users suddenly lost access to the platform, which had become one of the country’s most popular social media apps. The government had said that the ban was a safeguard against data being transmitted to foreign entities and to curb content it deemed harmful.

China: The ‘Great Firewall’

China operates one of the world’s strictest censorship regimes. Major platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are blocked, while domestic services like WeChat and Weibo are closely monitored. Content deemed “anti-state” is swiftly removed, and using VPNs to bypass restrictions is illegal.

North Korea: Total Isolation

In North Korea, social media is banned outright, and internet access is limited to a privileged elite. The majority of citizens are restricted to the state-run intranet “Kwangmyong,” which offers only a small, heavily filtered selection of information. Unauthorized use of foreign platforms can bring severe punishment.

Iran: Tight Control, Risky Workarounds

Iran blocks Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, citing moral and national security concerns. Despite this, millions of Iranians turn to VPNs to stay connected to global platforms, though doing so carries significant legal risks.

Saudi Arabia and UAE: Heavy Monitoring

In Saudi Arabia, social media is widely used but heavily policed. Criticism of the royal family or content contradicting religious values can result in arrest under the Cybercrime Law.

The UAE enforces strict cybercrime legislation as well, restricting apps like WhatsApp, Skype, and Facetime, while punishing online dissent with fines, jail time, or deportation.

Turkey and Russia: Expanding State Power

Turkey has repeatedly throttled or blocked access to Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube during political unrest. Social media firms are required to appoint local representatives and store user data domestically, giving the state more leverage.

Russia, meanwhile, enforces strict data localization laws and demands removal of content deemed “illegal.” Its “Sovereign Internet” law allows authorities to shut off global access entirely if deemed necessary for national security.

Egypt and Vietnam: Censorship Through Law

In Egypt, social media users with more than 5,000 followers must register with regulators, effectively subjecting them to state media laws. People have been jailed for spreading “false news” or insulting leaders.

Vietnam also compels platforms to remove anti-government content and stores user data locally under its Cybersecurity Law, with critics facing arrest for online posts.

Australia: A Different Kind of Ban

In contrast to political crackdowns elsewhere, Australia is moving ahead with the world’s first blanket ban on social media use for children under 16. Starting in December, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X, and Snapchat will all be restricted. YouTube—initially exempt—has now been included, though children will still be able to view videos without an account.

A Shrinking Digital Space

From Kathmandu to Cairo, from New Delhi to Beijing, the message is clear: governments are increasingly willing to curtail digital freedoms, whether to fight disinformation, enforce cultural norms, or suppress dissent. For citizens, the online world that once promised openness is fast becoming a controlled and fragmented space.