Doda admn bans use of VPNs in dist

Our Correspondent

Jammu, May 3

The Doda administration has banned the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in the district keeping in view the “public order, tranquillity and national security”.

An order by Deputy Commissioner Harvinder Singh stated that it has been brought to the notice that certain individuals and groups are misusing VPNs to circumvent lawful cyber restrictions and access prohibited applications, websites and digital content thereby posing a serious threat to public order, tranquillity and national security.

“The Senior Superintendent of Police, Doda, has formally communicated the need for immediate action to curtail the use of VPN in the interest of public salary, cyber security and the overall integrity of digital governance in the district” the order read.

The order further read: “In exercise of powers conferred upon me under Section 163 of the BNSS, 2023, do hereby order complete prohibition on the use of VPNs except those explicitly permitted by the government through official order within the territorial jurisdiction of district Doda, with immediate effect, until further orders.”