Doda, Jammu & Kashmir (Indian administered Kashmir) — May 3, 2025:
Authorities in the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir have enforced a sudden two-month ban on the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), citing national security concerns as justification. The restriction, which came into effect on Friday, has raised concerns among residents and digital rights advocates over growing internet restrictions in the region.
According to official sources, the decision follows intelligence reports claiming VPN services were being misused to spread what authorities termed as “inflammatory content” and to facilitate “unlawful activities” that could disturb peace in the region. However, critics argue that such measures disproportionately affect the rights of ordinary citizens, many of whom rely on VPNs for safe communication, accessing blocked information, and maintaining privacy in a heavily surveilled environment.
The ban comes amid a broader pattern of digital clampdowns in Jammu and Kashmir, where internet shutdowns, social media restrictions, and censorship have become increasingly frequent since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. Civil society members and pro-Kashmiri voices have long expressed concerns that such restrictions are aimed at silencing dissent and cutting off Kashmiris from the global narrative.
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“Rather than addressing the root causes of discontent, the state continues to respond with digital repression,” said a human rights activist based in Srinagar, speaking on condition of anonymity. “VPNs have often been the only way for many Kashmiris to stay connected to the outside world.”
The ban will remain in effect for two months, during which authorities are expected to monitor compliance through Internet Service Providers (ISPs). Violations could reportedly lead to legal consequences, although specific details remain unclear.
As the ban unfolds, many in Doda and beyond fear this could set a precedent for further tightening of digital spaces in the region—spaces already severely restricted compared to the rest of India.
