J&K Cracks Down on VPN Use, Dozens Booked
Police enforce complete ban citing misuse and security concerns
- Dozens charged across J&K for unauthorised VPN usage
- Budgam police register FIRs against 24 individuals
- Mobile phone verification drives intensified
- Ban linked to national security concerns
GG News Bureau
Srinagar, 4th Jan: Dozens of people across Jammu and Kashmir have been charged for using virtual private networks (VPNs) as police intensified a major crackdown against unauthorised VPN services, citing concerns over national security.
Authorities have imposed a complete ban on VPN usage across all districts of the union territory. In Budgam district, police registered two FIRs and initiated security proceedings against 24 individuals found violating the prohibitory orders between December 29 and January 2.
“Following prohibitory orders issued by the District Administration on December 29 banning unauthorised VPN usage, police carried out systematic verification and monitoring in Budgam,” police said in a statement.
Security proceedings were initiated against 11 individuals aged between 18 and 40 years under Sections 126/170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). They were later released after warnings and signing bonds.
On the ground, police are enforcing the ban through mobile phone verification drives, checking applications installed on users’ phones. All 24 individuals identified in Budgam were released after signing bonds, officials said.
In Kulgam district, police launched intense mobile phone verification drives, with officers seen checking phones in busy marketplaces.
Officials said VPNs are often used to bypass online control measures enforced by security agencies. After Operation Sindoor, access to several Pakistani newspapers, websites, YouTube channels and social media accounts was blocked in the region, and VPNs have reportedly been used to circumvent these restrictions.
VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a technology that encrypts internet traffic and masks a user’s online identity, making it harder to track online activity — a feature authorities say has been misused in the sensitive security environment of Jammu and Kashmir.
