Apart from Nepal, how many other countries have banned Instagram?

Written by Karan Sharma September 8, 2025

Nepal bans 26 apps including Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp for failing to register with its IT Ministry. Other nations like China and Iran have done the same for political reasons.

[{"selector":"#anim-23d68991-2070-45f0-a650-7b5eebd27bd0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":250,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Nepal has shocked social media users by banning 26 major apps including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and X.

[{"selector":"#anim-b3a47d3d-9825-4609-b242-7a02a87d4469","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":250,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

The apps failed to register with Nepal’s Ministry of Communication and IT despite a 7-day deadline.

[{"selector":"#anim-1b63c400-6a62-4c39-ab32-3a1df5fdbb8f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":250,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

This decision aims to regulate digital platforms and ensure compliance with local laws.

[{"selector":"#anim-dcf82e00-5b68-4141-88fe-da38d5ea0325","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":250,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

China was one of the first countries to ban Instagram in 2009 to stop protest content from spreading.

[{"selector":"#anim-da688d88-59a3-4ac2-b4cd-49d18f80bc75","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":250,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

In North Korea, the internet itself is tightly controlled, and all social media platforms are banned.

[{"selector":"#anim-3e235334-118c-4398-ac9c-4a91856e4b6e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":250,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Iran banned Instagram in 2022 during anti-government protests to prevent the spread of dissent.

[{"selector":"#anim-b96c3342-43d8-4c4e-81e9-ad604cd3a462","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":250,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Russia blocked Instagram in March 2022, accusing it of promoting anti-Russia violence.

[{"selector":"#anim-a4538f08-7427-4cbc-8916-dbfbd28b11c9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":250,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Turkey also temporarily banned Instagram in August 2024 for violating national regulations.

[{"selector":"#anim-aa3e6969-c007-4193-b4e4-9c8436434089","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":250,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Such bans are often imposed for reasons like national security, censorship, or lack of platform accountability.

[{"selector":"#anim-ebf7d67f-ec76-4847-b5e3-a87f5911ec77","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":250,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Read more web stories

[{"selector":"#anim-211741d8-993e-42ab-bb72-a522e327aea6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":250,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c16389a4-df83-40fe-ab54-fc1405da8a4a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":250,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-debe060b-1af5-49b5-bd41-1ea412520066","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":250,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cf3037e6-728c-46bb-ade2-9199bdd78974","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":250,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Madhubani’s Iconic Watson School: The Alma Mater of IAS, IPS and Scientists From Model to Civil Servant: The Inspiring Journey of Taskeen Khan Can't Sleep? The Blue Light from Your Phone Might Be the reason 10 Vegetables That Boost Your Health by Supporting Key Body Organs