Doda district bans VPN use to maintain public order

Authorities in the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir have issued an order prohibiting the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) for a period of two months. The directive was issued by District Magistrate Krishan Lal under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.

The administration cited concerns regarding cybersecurity, the prevention of illegal activities, and the maintenance of public order. Officials noted reports that VPNs were being used to bypass lawful cyber restrictions to access prohibited websites, applications, and digital content. The order states that such technology could potentially be used for anti-national activities, including the circulation of inflammatory material and the coordination of actions that undermine law and order.

The ban applies to all individuals, institutions, businesses, cyber cafés, and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) operating within the district. An exemption is provided for VPN use that has been specifically authorized by the government through official orders. The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) for Doda has been tasked with ensuring strict enforcement, and violators may face legal action.