JAMMU DEC 25 :The Kathua district administration in Jammu and Kashmir has imposed an immediate and complete ban on Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), citing concerns over cybersecurity, public order, and national security. The order was issued by District Magistrate Rajesh Sharma under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.
The directive prohibits the use of all VPN services within Kathua’s territorial jurisdiction, except those explicitly permitted by the government through specific official orders. According to the administration, VPNs have been misused to spread misleading and provocative content, incite unrest, and facilitate unlawful and anti-national activities.
The order states that certain individuals and groups are exploiting VPN services to bypass lawful cyber restrictions and access banned websites, applications, and digital content. Such activities pose a serious threat to public tranquility, cybersecurity, and national security, the administration noted. The potential exploitation of VPNs for coordinating activities detrimental to law and order was also highlighted.
The move follows an assessment by the Senior Superintendent of Police, Kathua, who flagged the urgent need to regulate VPN usage in the district in the interest of public safety and digital governance. Violators of the ban may face legal action under the provisions of BNSS, 2023.
