On September 8, “Protests of the Generation Z” broke out in the capital of Nepal. They were provoked by a blockade of 26 popular social networking sites, including Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp and YouTube. A huge jump in the number of downloads of the Bitchat application was registered in the region.
Protests in Nepal
The direct cause of protests in Nepal was the decision of the government, which last week blocked access to 26 social platforms and messengers, such as Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, X and Reddit. The rulers accused the companies that are behind these applications and websites, of non -compliance with the regulations. The Ministry of Communication and Information Technologies ordered technology companies to designate a local representative in the region. In addition, they were to indicate people responsible for content moderation.
Technological giants had seven days to give the personal details of the indicated people. Five platforms were used, including Tiktok.
In response to the blockade of 26 social platforms and messengers, mainly young people came to the streets, who probably use the pages and messengers in both private and professional life. The manifestations turned into a conflict with the police that used the weapon. The situation has become exacerbated – there was even a loot of administrative buildings and numerous arson. It is known about 30 people who were killed, the number of wounded exceeded 1000.
Second bottom of the protests
The second thread came out on all this. On September 9, Prime Minister Khadga Pragad Sharma Ola, as a result of accusations of corruption, resigned. At that time, restrictions on the use of social media were lifted. The army officially expressed its support for society. Everything looks a bit like a coup d’état and a successful attempt to get rid of the prime minister.
However, the case shows something different: decentralized technologies can help citizens who are fighting for changes in the country. Already on the first day of protests, the Nepalese created a large, organized network “Mesh”. However, they were cut off from traditional social media, they looked for alternatives. And they found the Bitchat messenger. One of the creators of the application, hiding under the pseudonym “Calle”, announced on September 10.
On September 8, the number of anonymous software downloads in Nepal reached as much as 48,781. A week earlier, only 3344 installations were recorded.
Bitchat is a product of the founder of Twitter, Jacek Dorsey. This is a free application, based on Mesh technology, which allows encrypted message without internet access, does not require creating an account or verification of the phone number. Everything works based on Bluetooth Low Energy technology. Each device works as a node transmitting messages at a distance of up to 300 meters. The system ensures privacy, and the “panic” mode immediately deletes all data after touching the logo three times.
Not only Nepal
The number of downloads also jumped in Indonesia. This time a jump was registered to 11,324 installations.
As in Nepal, the cause was social unrest. On August 25, protests broke out in Jakarta and spread to many cities. The demonstrators demanded that the recently announced high housing allowances for parliamentarians. They also want wage increases for ordinary citizens.
And here the authorities gave way: the privileges of parliamentarians were abolished. The price, however, was high: six people were killed in clashes with services.
Bitchat is also willingly installed in Russia. The number of application downloads in this country increased significantly between 3 and 8 September, from 7519 to 8749. The leaders of the countries also included the United States and India.
Blockchain and technologies based on decentralization can play a huge role during the fight of citizens for civic freedoms, especially where authoritarian authorities use censorship, surveillance and control of information flow. Messages such as Bitchat are a particularly important area.
Applications of this type help in the fight against propaganda. Thanks to them, citizens can freely exchange information, photos and relationships that will not be blocked by the government. Safe communication allows you to organize protests, social campaigns and humanitarian support.
