Free speech demonstrations came after government said Facebook and others failed to follow new regulations

At least 10 people have been killed in Nepal after protests over a government ban on dozens of social media platforms – including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and X – led to violent clashes with police.

The government, led by the prime minister, KP Sharma Oli, has faced mounting criticism after imposing a ban on 26 prominent social media platforms and messaging apps that it says have failed to comply with new regulations.