VPN Services Suspended in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
District Magistrate cites potential misuse of VPNs for unlawful activities; exemptions for authorised government use
Srinagar, Jan 5: The District Magistrate of Srinagar has ordered the immediate suspension of all Virtual Private Network (VPN) services within the district for a period of two months, citing public order and cybersecurity concerns under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.
The move follows a report by the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar, warning that VPN services could be misused by vested interests, potentially leading to unlawful activities, dissemination of inflammatory content, and threats to law and order.
The order notes that VPNs, by encrypting data and masking IP addresses, allow users to bypass website restrictions and firewalls, creating risks that could be exploited for anti-national purposes.
Exemptions and implementation
The suspension does not apply to authorised VPNs used by government departments through the National Informatics Centre (NIC). As issuing individual notices was impractical, the order was issued ex parte and has been widely publicised through the district website, newspapers, and notice boards across Srinagar.
The SSP Srinagar has been directed to ensure strict compliance with the order, implementing it in letter and spirit.
Officials said the decision aims to protect public safety, safeguard sensitive data, and prevent misuse of encrypted services in the district.
