Nepal, Aug. 1 -- On July 18, Nepal banned Telegram, a messaging app, citing its increasing use for criminal activity, especially fraud and money laundering. This will put Nepal on AccessNow's (an organisation based in the US working on digital rights) list of countries imposing internet shutdowns in 2025.

Last year, the world experienced 296 internet shutdowns across 54 countries. India, with 84 shutdowns, had the most internet interruptions in any democracy worldwide. Pakistan and Bangladesh also imposed multiple shutdowns, often coinciding with protests or politically charged events. Nepal also appeared on the list for banning TikTok, making South Asia the most censored region in the world.

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