The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday registered first information reports and initiated “security proceedings” against several persons for allegedly flouting a ban on the use of virtual private networks, or VPN, reported NDTV.
On December 29, the administration issued prohibitory orders against the use of VPN, citing a threat to national security and apprehensions of “incitement to unrest”, according to The Wire.
While the ex parte ban was first introduced in the Doda and Kishtwar districts of the Chenab Valley, it has since been extended to other areas.
A virtual private network, or VPN, allows users to mask their location and browse the internet without divulging their search history to the internet service providers by using remote servers. The tool is often used by investigative journalists and ethical hackers to access websites that are banned in their countries.
The police have been enforcing the ban on VPN by checking the mobile phones of residents, NDTV reported.
In Budgam district, the police on Saturday registered two first information reports and initiated “security proceedings” against 11 persons found using VPNs, The Wire reported.
A total of 24 persons were identified for violating the ban between December 29 and Friday, and all were released with warnings, according to NDTV. Some of them had to sign bonds.
In Pulwama, police identified 95 persons using VPNs on Thursday...
