The Indian government’s sweeping two-month ban on virtual private networks (VPNs) in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir is adding to the psychological pressure faced by residents already living under intensive surveillance, communication blockades and civil liberty restrictions, international media reports
According to Kashmir Media Service, the report said, the ban was imposed on December 29 on the pretext of “threats to national security” and alleged “misuse” of VPN services to “incite unrest”.
The report highlights the plight of Basit Banday, a 27-year-old Kashmiri IT professional, who fears losing his job with a Pune-based company because secure VPN connectivity is a professional requirement.
“Unfortunately, the recent government order appears to have been issued without adequate consideration for professionals whose livelihoods and responsibilities are directly dependent on secure VPN connectivity,” he told
He added, “VPN is extremely important and mandatory for any IT organisation… Even corporate email cannot be accessed without connecting to the VPN.”
