xHamster Says Nepal Traffic Rebounding After Government Block

xHamster Says Nepal Traffic Rebounding After Government Block

KATHMANDU, Nepal — Several weeks after the government of Nepal ordered more than 24,000 adult entertainment sites blocked, data from xHamster.com is showing a rebound after a slight dip in traffic.

“Anytime you push a legal industry underground — one with billions of users — you push legal users into those underground spaces as well,” said Alex Hawkins, xHamster’s vice president. “Unlike other bans, porn bans may have the opposite effect, pushing apolitical citizens into networks that bypass government blockades.

“Attention censors in Nepal, the U.K. and elsewhere: When you attempt [to] ban us, users immediately increase their use of web-based proxies, like VPNs.”

Hawkins said that millions of users in countries where xHamster is technically blocked — including Nepal, Thailand, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates — still find ways to access the site.

He noted that in 2013, when Britain mandated a so-called opt-in measure that required users to obtain access to porn their ISPs, traffic to xHamster from British users increased.

In their recent mandate, political leaders of Nepal — a landlocked country in South Asia sharing its borders with China in the north and India on three other sides — ordered officials from all of the country’s 115 ISPs to follow orders to cut access to porn sites or face fines and possible five-year jail sentences.

Nepal issued a ban of online adult content in 2010, but authorities shifted priorities and ISPs relaxed their filters. At the time, only 200 adult sites were blocked.

Explaining the rationalization of its current ban, the Nepal government said that "easy access to porn and vulgar content through the internet has affected our social values and social harmony and it has encouraged sexual violence.”

Critics of the ban, however, have questioned whether there was any link between online porn and Nepal’s crime numbers. The same critics also wonder whether it’s even possible to prevent users from accessing porn sites, considering the profusion of firewall-evading software.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Isa Bella, Selena Ivy Topline 'Lesbian Sex 28'

Isa Bella and Selena Ivy headline the latest release from Girlfriends Films, titled “Lesbian Sex 28.”

Catherine Knight Stars in Latest From Brazzers

Catherine Knight stars in the latest release from Brazzers, titled "GRWM (To Fuck)."

Federal Appeals Court Vacates FTC 'Click to Cancel' Rule Pending Review

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit on Tuesday vacated the Federal Trade Commission’s “click-to-cancel” rule aimed at making it easier for consumers to cancel online subscriptions, pending further review.

Elegant Angel Premieres Nicole Kitt Showcase 'Cats Eye'

Nicole Kitt gets the spotlight in a new four-part showcase release from Elegant Angel.

Private Releases 'The Love Hotel 2'

Private has released “The Love Hotel 2,” directed by Dave Menich.

Ember Fiera, Jesse Pony Headline 'TS Girls Do It Best' Sequel From TransSensual

Ember Fiera and Jesse Pony topline the sequel to “TS Girls Do It Best” from Mile High Media studio imprint TransSensual.

Khloe Kapri, Melissa Stratton Topline 'Lesbian Trainer 3' From Sweetheart Video

Khloe Kapri and Melissa Stratton headline the third volume of “Lesbian Trainer” from Mile High Media studio imprint Sweetheart Video.

FSC Drops Florida AV Lawsuit in Wake of SCOTUS Decision

A U.S. district court judge granted on Tuesday a motion by Free Speech Coalition to dismiss the trade association’s lawsuit over Florida’s age verification law, a case that had been on hold pending the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the constitutionality of state AV laws.

Gal Ritchie Toplines Dorcel's 'Pigalle'

2025 XMAs winner Gal Ritchie stars with Clara Mia in the latest feature from Dorcel, titled “Pigalle.”

Ukrainian President Responds to Porn Legalization Petition

President Volodymyr Zelensky responded Tuesday to an OnlyFans model’s petition to decriminalize pornography in Ukraine, stating that he would wait for the legislative process to play out “in accordance with established procedure.”

Show More