Google and Apple Remove VPN Apps Following Indian Government Orders
In a significant move, Google and Apple have taken down several virtual private network (VPN) applications from their PlayStore and App Store in compliance with directives from the Indian government. This action follows the implementation of India’s 2022 VPN regulations, mandating VPN providers to maintain extensive customer records for a period of five years.
Government Orders and Compliance Issues
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has instructed tech giants to remove six VPN applications, including Hide.me, PrivadoVPN, and Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1. These apps failed to adhere to the cybersecurity framework, which requires VPN providers, cloud services, and data center operators to store detailed customer information such as names, addresses, IP addresses, and transaction histories.
Concerns from VPN Providers
According to TechCrunch, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center, part of the MHA, requested the removal of these applications. Reports indicate that Apple has confirmed the removals to developers, citing the government’s demands. However, no official statements have been released from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Apple, or Google.
Major VPN providers like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and SurfShark expressed concerns regarding the new regulatory framework. The requirement for detailed user data raised significant privacy issues, prompting many providers to relocate their server infrastructure outside India. Despite this, they continue to service Indian users without actively promoting their applications.
Regulatory Exemptions and Future Implications
Interestingly, these regulations do not extend to corporate or enterprise VPN services. Authorities have previously warned that non-compliance will result in businesses being forced out of the market.
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