{"id":12413,"date":"2020-02-13T13:52:07","date_gmt":"2020-02-13T21:52:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/?p=12413"},"modified":"2025-04-16T00:12:32","modified_gmt":"2025-04-16T07:12:32","slug":"the-indian-government-is-reportedly-cracking-down-on-vpn-usage-in-jammu-kashmir","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/the-indian-government-is-reportedly-cracking-down-on-vpn-usage-in-jammu-kashmir\/","title":{"rendered":"The Indian government is reportedly cracking down on VPN usage in Jammu & Kashmir"},"content":{"rendered":"

Safwat Zargar described the situation on the ground in Jammu & Kashmir in an article on Scroll.in<\/a>, highlighting that the government is taking drastic new steps to limit internet access. Specifically, they are targeting VPN users. The Army stops citizens and checks their phones for VPN applications while the internet service providers (ISPs) in the region are sending written notices to users to attempt to discourage them from VPN use.<\/p>\n

The Jammu & Kashmir region of India has seen more internet shutdowns in recent years than most everywhere else on Earth. While there is political turmoil in the region, the Indian government has used this as an excuse to crack down on democratic actions such as demonstrations and especially freedom of expression on the open internet by straight up shutting down the internet<\/a> at times. The Jammu & Kashmir region has gone months at a time<\/a> without internet, though citizens in the region still find ways to connect and make their voices heard whether through 2G mobile networks or VPNs.<\/p>\n

The most recent internet shutdown in Jammu & Kashmir has lasted over six months and was ended by the government allowing an allowlist<\/a> of 329 websites through their internet blockade. Savvy internet users soon realized that by even allowing a few sites through the internet shutdown, the government had \u201cturned the internet back on,\u201d and even blacklisted sites could be accessed through the use of a VPN. The government is now taking action against their citizens for trying to access the open web, and that needs to be condemned.<\/p>\n

The Indian Army is helping to enforce a crackdown on VPN usage<\/h2>\n

There have long been privacy and security violating smartphone checks in part of China<\/a> where people are forced to download government sponsored spyware. Now, India is on the same path. The Indian Army is reportedly stopping citizens on the streets in Kashmir and inspecting or confiscating phones to check for VPN applications. Zargar writes of a 17 year old in Kulgam\u2019s Damhal Hanjipora area who carries a dumbphone with him when he goes in public but uses a smartphone at home. That boy told Zargar:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s just to avoid the attention of the army. They stop people and check their phones. I heard many were beaten up by the army when they found VPN apps installed in their phones.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Another such young man from the region described how widespread the knowledge of the governments\u2019 actions were:<\/p>\n

\u201cMy father advised me to carry a simple phone if I am going out. So I use VPN only at night.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

TV journalist Sanam Aijaz was even questioned about his VPN usage while at a checkpoint while traveling in the region. Aijaz described what happened to him to Scroll.in:<\/p>\n

\u201cHe asked me if I had a phone and if I was using any VPN app. I thought maybe he doesn\u2019t have a VPN and wants to use the internet or talk to his family. When I told him I am using one, he got furious. He abused me and told me \u2013 you are using this VPN to spread terrorism. I told him it\u2019s a VPN, not an AK 47.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Aijaz\u2019s phone was returned to him after a local policeman told the army about Aijaz\u2019s occupation. When contacted by Scroll.in for comment, a spokesperson for the Indian Army Rajesh Kalia stated:<\/p>\n

\u201cArmy personnel are not involved in any action of this nature.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Indian ISPs are trying to discourage VPN usage, too<\/h2>\n

The internet has also been restored for certain businesses and offices that have been deemed essential for the region\u2019s economy to continue. Such places include hotels and guesthouses, tour operators, travel booking agencies, and government offices. The ISPs providing these services are requiring users to provide written undertaking agreements that forbid them from certain activities.\u00a0 Other stipulations in the agreement include:<\/p>\n