Kathua District Magistrate Imposes Two-Month Ban on VPN Use Citing National Security Concerns

KATHUA, DECEMBER 25: In a major move to bolster digital security, the District Magistrate of Kathua, Rajesh Sharma, has issued an official order banning the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) across the district for a period of two months.

The directive, which came into effect on December 24, was prompted by reports that certain individuals and groups were misusing VPN services to bypass cyber restrictions and gain unauthorized access to prohibited applications, websites, and digital content. Authorities have categorized this as a significant national security risk, as masked IP addresses can hinder the tracking of illicit online activities and the spread of sensitive information.

The ban has been implemented under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, and applies to all individuals, educational institutions, cyber cafes, and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) operating within the territorial jurisdiction of Kathua.

Only those granted explicit government permission via specific official orders are exempt from these restrictions. The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kathua has been tasked with the strict enforcement of this order, with the district administration warning that any violations will result in immediate legal action under relevant provisions of the law.

This preventive measure aims to ensure a secure digital environment and prevent the circumvention of established cyber protocols in the region.