Srinagar : Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir’s border district of Kupwara and Shopian on Monday banned the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) citing concerns related to national security.
The district administration of Kupwara issued an order banning the use of all VPN services within the district.
The move comes following reports from the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Kupwara and Handwara, highlighting a surge in VPN usage by suspicious internet users.
Citing concerns over public safety, cybersecurity, and the integrity of digital governance, the District Magistrate, Shrikant Balasaheb Suse, invoked powers under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 to restrict VPN use.
“ ..Misuse of VPN services has the potential to be exploited for unlawful and anti-national activities, including incitement of unrest, dissemination of inflammatory or misleading content, and coordination of activities prejudicial to the maintenance of law and order thereby posing a serious threat to public order, tranquility and national security,” the order read.
The directive is applicable to all individuals, institutions, cyber cafés, and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) operating within Kupwara.
“Any person or entity found violating the provisions of this order shall be liable to be proceeded against under the relevant provisions of law. Since it is not feasible to serve prior notice of this order individually, the same is hereby issued ex-parte and shall be deemed to be addressed to the public in general,” the order read.
The SSPs of Kupwara and Handwara have been tasked with ensuring strict enforcement of the ban. The order will remain in effect for two months unless revoked earlier by the authorities.
The VPN ban in Kupwara comes just days after the Arunachal Pradesh Police arrested five individuals from Kupwara in connection with an alleged espionage case. The accused are suspected of having collected and shared sensitive information with handlers across the border. While three Kupwara residents were apprehended in Arunachal Pradesh, two others were detained locally in Kupwara.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner Shopian has also ordered the suspension of VPN services across District, with immediate effect, until further orders.
The said order has been issued in view of prevailing security considerations and the potential misuse of VPN services, which may impede lawful monitoring and pose risks to public safety, Police said.
All residents of District Shopian are requested to strictly adhere to the order and cooperate with the district administration and police.
It is reiterated that any non-compliance or violation of the order shall invite strict legal action under relevant provisions of law.
