Immediate Suspension of VPN Services Ordered in Srinagar
In a significant move, the District Magistrate of Srinagar has issued an order for the immediate suspension of all Virtual Private Network (VPN) services within the jurisdiction of District Srinagar for a period of two months. This decision was made under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, with the aim of safeguarding public order and cyber security.
The order was prompted by concerns raised by the Senior Superintendent of Police Srinagar regarding potential misuse of VPN services by certain groups with vested interests. It was feared that such misuse could have negative implications for public order and cyber security within the district.
VPN services are known for their ability to transmit encrypted data and create secure tunnels between users, allowing them to hide their IP addresses and bypass website restrictions and firewalls. However, these very features can also be exploited for unlawful and anti-national activities, such as incitement of unrest, dissemination of inflammatory content, and coordination of activities that disrupt law and order.
The District Magistrate highlighted the serious risks posed by unrestricted VPN usage to public safety, cyber security, and the protection of sensitive data. In light of these risks, immediate preventive measures were deemed necessary in the interest of public safety.
It is important to note that the suspension of VPN services does not apply to authorized usage by government departments operating through the National Informatics Centre. This exemption ensures that essential government services can continue without disruption.
Given the impracticality of individually notifying all concerned parties, the order was issued ex parte. To ensure widespread awareness, the administration has directed that the order be publicized through the district website, leading newspapers, and by posting copies on notice boards at key government offices.
The Senior Superintendent of Police Srinagar has been tasked with ensuring strict enforcement of the order. This proactive measure aims to mitigate potential risks associated with unregulated VPN usage and uphold public safety and cyber security in the district. [KNT]
