Bitchat, an encrypted messenger created by Twitter founder Jack Dorsey saw a surge in the number of downloads in Nepal after the government banned access to 26 social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and YouTube.
According to a report, this led to a protest on September 4 in Kathmandu. However, what started as peaceful demonstrations soon quickly grew into a nationwide movement, citing suspicions of corruption within the government and over the sudden communication blackout.
The protest became uncontrollable by Sept. 8 and escalated into violent clashes between protesters and police. Administrative buildings were ransacked, widespread fires broke out, and they stormed Parliament in the capital.
Police used weapons against the crowds, and violence lasted almost two days. Reports said at least 30 people were killed and more than 1,000 were injured. Some youth set fires at some government buildings, including the Singha Durbar complex that houses the prime minister’s office and several ministries.
On September 9, Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli resigned after facing corruption accusations. Soon after, the government lifted the ban on social media, and the army announced its support for dialogue with the people. With his resignation, the government lifted the social media ban.
Bitchat Downloads Soar after the Ban
During the blackout, many young people turned to Bitchat to stay connected. The app works without internet by using Bluetooth mesh technology. Each phone becomes a small signal point that passes messages up to 300 meters.
Messages are encrypted, meaning they cannot easily be read by others. The app does not need a phone number, an account, or servers. It also has a “panic mode” that can delete all data with three quick taps on the logo.
Downloads in Nepal jumped from just over 3,300 the week before the protests to nearly 49,000 on September 8, accounting for more than a third of the app’s total installs at that time.
“Last week, we noticed a sudden surge in BitChat downloads from Indonesia during nationwide protests. Today we are seeing an even bigger jump from Nepal amid youth protests against government corruption and a social-media ban,” said calle, one of the developers, on September 10.
Meanwhile, Nepal is not the only country where Bitchat is spreading. In Indonesia, more than 11,000 downloads happened on September 3 as protests over lawmakers’ benefits and wages broke out. Russia, the United States, and India also showed a rise in downloads. Calle called this software “freedom tech,” saying it is built to help people stay connected when governments block or watch normal communication.
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