India’s Ministry of Home Affairs has issued removal orders for more than half a dozen VPN apps, including Cloudflare’s widely used 1.1.1.1, from the country’s Apple App Store and Google Play Store. This move marks the first significant implementation of India’s 2022 regulatory framework governing VPN apps.
Background on the Regulatory Framework
In 2022, India introduced a set of regulations for VPN providers and cloud service operators. The rules mandate that these entities maintain comprehensive records of their customers, including names, addresses, IP addresses, and transaction histories, for a five-year period. This stringent requirement has prompted significant pushback from major industry players.
Affected Apps
Among the affected apps are Hide.me and PrivadoVPN. In a communication to one of the affected developers, seen by TechCrunch, Apple cited a ‘demand’ from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (IC3C), part of the Ministry of Home Affairs, which deemed the developer’s content to contravene Indian law.
Cloudflare’s Response
Cloudflare, the provider behind 1.1.1.1, has not commented on the matter directly. However, the company has been vocal about its opposition to the Indian government’s VPN regulations in the past.
Industry Reaction
Leading brands like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN have voiced significant reservations about the rules. Several of these companies have announced plans to withdraw their server infrastructure from India or stop marketing their apps in the country. Despite this, NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark continue to maintain services for Indian customers.
Consequences of the Regulatory Framework
The Indian government’s move to enforce its VPN regulations may have far-reaching consequences for both local and international companies operating in the region. The stringent requirements may lead to a decrease in the number of VPN apps available in India, ultimately compromising users’ online security and privacy.
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About the Author
Manish Singh is a senior reporter at TechCrunch, covering India’s startup scene and venture capital investments. He also reports on global tech firms’ India play. Before joining TechCrunch in 2019, Singh wrote for about a dozen publications, including CNBC and VentureBeat. He graduated in Computer Science and Engineering in 2015.
Contact the Author
Reach out to Manish Singh at manish@techcrunch.com.
