DODA, May 3 (The Chenab Times) – Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district have outlawed the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), citing threats to public order and national security, according to an official order obtained by The Chenab Times.
The directive, issued on May 2, 2025, by District Magistrate Harvinder Singh under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, bans all VPN usage within the district, except for government-authorized services. Effective immediately, the prohibition applies to individuals, institutions, cyber cafes, and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and will remain in force for two months unless revoked earlier.
The order raises concerns about VPNs being used to bypass cyber restrictions and access prohibited applications, websites, and content, which could facilitate “unlawful and anti-national” activities, such as inciting unrest or spreading inflammatory material, as The Chenab Times has understood from the content of the order. The Senior Superintendent of Police, Doda, urged swift action to address these risks, emphasizing public safety and cybersecurity.
“Such activities have the potential to be exploited for purposes prejudicial to the maintenance of law and order,” the order states, underscoring the need for immediate measures.
The district’s police chief is tasked with enforcing the ban, with the order to be publicized through print, electronic, and social media, as well as the district’s official website. Violators will face legal consequences under relevant laws, though specific penalties were not outlined.
Issued ex-parte due to the urgency and logistical challenges of individual notifications, the order has been shared with regional officials, including the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, and local administrative and police authorities for implementation.
The ban may affect residents, businesses, and students who rely on VPNs for secure communications or access to restricted resources. No provisions for exemptions were mentioned in the document.
VPNs are widely used for legitimate purposes, such as protecting sensitive data during online transactions, enabling remote work for businesses, and allowing students to access educational resources on restricted networks. They also help safeguard privacy in regions with limited internet freedom, making the blanket ban a potential challenge for those dependent on these tools for professional and academic needs.
Following the April 22, 2025, terror attack in Pahalgam, the government has intensified its crackdown on digital platforms perceived as security threats. Measures include banning websites and social media accounts linked to Pakistan, targeting content from Pakistani cricketers, actors, news outlets, and other entities deemed to promote inflammatory or anti-national narratives. The VPN ban in Doda appears to be part of this broader strategy to curb access to restricted content and enhance regional security.
The Chenab Times could not immediately obtain comments from the District Magistrate’s office. The impact of the ban on Doda’s digital landscape remains to be seen, and further updates will be provided as the situation develops.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
