Connect with us
X
Categories:

Technology

Indian VPN providers resist incoming data-logging law

Published

on

Indian VPN providers resist incoming data-logging law
Share this post:

DOWNLOAD MP3 SONG

Privacy concerns raised over mandate to retain customer records.

ANALYSIS Virtual private network (VPN) providers are digging in their heels, following the introduction of a new law in India requiring them to collect user data and keep it for at least five years.

Under a new directive (PDF) from the country’s Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), VPN providers in the country will have to keep records and logs of customer names, physical addresses, and contact numbers – all of which must be verified – along with email and IP addresses.

Service providers will also have to collect and keep the “period of hire” (the timestamp used at registration), the purpose of the contract, and the “ownership pattern” of the customer.

The regulations will come into effect at the end of June, along with potential penalties of imprisonment or a fine of ₹100,000 ($1,300) for infringements to the rules.

In a briefing, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Indian minister of state for electronics and IT, said the rules were non-negotiable.

“If you don’t have the logs, start maintaining the logs,” he said.

“If you’re a VPN that wants to hide and be anonymous about those who use VPNs who want to do business in India and you don’t want to apply, you don’t want to go by these rules, then if you want to pull out, frankly, that is the only opportunity you have. You have to pull out.”

Mass exodus?

In response, ExpressVPN is – physically, at least – doing just that. As of last week, it’s closed down its two physical servers in India. However, it says it will continue to operate its two Indian virtual server locations.

Physically located in Singapore and the UK, these allow users to connect with Indian IP addresses. Users based in India will also be able to continue using the company’s apps as usual.

“ExpressVPN absolutely will not participate in the Indian government’s attempts to limit internet freedom,” says Harold Li, vice president of ExpressVPN.

“As such, we have made the very straightforward decision to remove our Indian-based VPN servers. We refuse to ever put our users’ data at risk.”

In any case, he says, the company’s VPN servers have been specifically designed to avoid making logs, including by running in memory.

“Data centers are unlikely to be able to accommodate this policy and our server architecture under this new regulation, and thus there is no path forward other than to no longer have physical VPN servers in India,” he says.

RECOMMENDED  A pig skin eye transplant gives blind patients their sight back, according to a research.

Civil liberties ‘eroded’

Other VPN services that operate in India are following a different strategy.

For example, Proton VPN is planning to carry on as normal despite its concerns about the new Indian regulations.

“India’s new VPN regulations will erode civil liberties and make it harder for people to protect their data online,” a spokesperson told Daily Swig.

“Proton VPN is monitoring the situation, but ultimately we remain committed to our no-logs policy and preserving our users’ privacy.”

Cutting against the grain

VPN provider Surfshark is taking a similar stance, commenting: “As the new regulation goes against the nature of the VPNs industry – which seeks to protect customers’ privacy – we remain committed to providing no-logs services to our clients, including those living in India.”

India is no stranger to online control controversies, with a recent report from Access Now describing it as the world’s worst offender for internet shutdowns for the last four years running.

Meanwhile, new rules introduced last year include requirements for social media platforms to be able to review the content of communications, and to allow authorities to request interception or monitoring of messages.

Udbhav Tiwari, senior manager, global public policy at Mozilla, told The Daily Swig: “While well-intentioned, the new rules contain vastly expanded data retention requirements as compared to industry norms. Forcing private players to collect such information without a strong data protection law places the privacy of the average user at risk.

Tiwari concluded: “The rules should be re-evaluated under the principles of necessity and proportionality to balance interest of the state with the fundamental right to privacy guaranteed to every Indian.”


Get More Stories Like This On: Facebook: @AllNaijaEntertainment, Twitter: @AllNaijaEntertainment
Chief Oyerigha Echo Toikumoh - The Earlier The Better
Music1 week ago

[Music] Chief Oyerigha Echo Toikumoh – The Earlier The Better

Enzo Maresca and Mikel Arteta stated they will not take Pep Guardiola's place at Manchester City
Sports1 week ago

Enzo Maresca and Mikel Arteta stated they will not take Pep Guardiola’s place at Manchester City

Alan Shearer reckons Liverpool star is ‘not going to get better’
Sports1 week ago

Alan Shearer reckons Liverpool star is ‘not going to get better’

NECO examiners threaten nationwide protest over unpaid entitlements
News1 week ago

NECO examiners threaten nationwide protest over unpaid entitlements

Jonathan congratulates Trump on historic election win
News1 week ago

Jonathan congratulates Trump on historic election win

Peter Obi can become president in 2027 — Yunusa Tanko
News1 week ago

Peter Obi can become president in 2027 — Yunusa Tanko

Dua Lipa forced to cancel show after ‘unforeseen safety issues’
Entertainment1 week ago

Dua Lipa forced to cancel show after ‘unforeseen safety issues’

Uzoamaka Onuoha wins Best Female Performance in a feature at AFRIFF 2024
Entertainment1 week ago

Uzoamaka Onuoha wins Best Female Performance in a feature at AFRIFF 2024

'Phoenix Fury' bags Best Film award at the 13th edition of AFRIFF
Entertainment1 week ago

‘Phoenix Fury’ bags Best Film award at the 13th edition of AFRIFF

Vivo begins teasing new Dimensity 9400 flagships internationally
Technology1 week ago

Vivo begins teasing new Dimensity 9400 flagships internationally

Google Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro may trade performance gains for longer battery life
Technology1 week ago

Google Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro may trade performance gains for longer battery life

Manchester United players warned ‘only one is safe’ under Ruben Amorim
Sports1 week ago

Manchester United players warned ‘only one is safe’ under Ruben Amorim

Austin DeAnda given impromptu makeover after he is forced to have haircut in the middle of fight
Sports1 week ago

Austin DeAnda given impromptu makeover after he is forced to have haircut in the middle of fight

IG orders punishment for errant cops
News2 weeks ago

IG orders punishment for errant cops

Be ready to recover stolen mandate — Ighodalo tells PDP
News2 weeks ago

Be ready to recover stolen mandate — Ighodalo tells PDP

No part of Ogun will be ceded under my watch — Dapo Abiodun
News2 weeks ago

No part of Ogun will be ceded under my watch — Dapo Abiodun

Ruger calls out auto tune and hype culture in music
Entertainment2 weeks ago

Ruger calls out auto tune and hype culture in music

I hate to play same role repeatedly — Actress Bimbo Akintola
Entertainment2 weeks ago

I hate to play same role repeatedly — Actress Bimbo Akintola

Fans split on Davido, Wizkid, and Burna Boy's Grammy nominations.
Entertainment2 weeks ago

Fans split on Davido, Wizkid, and Burna Boy’s Grammy nominations

Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim: Leaker reveals launch details for Samsung's rival iPhone 17 Air
Technology2 weeks ago

Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim: Leaker reveals launch details for Samsung’s rival iPhone 17 Air

Realme names first smartphone to get Android 15 beta worldwide
Technology2 weeks ago

Realme names first smartphone to get Android 15 beta worldwide

England interim manager tipped for surprise Premier League job
Sports2 weeks ago

England interim manager tipped for surprise Premier League job

Hakim Ziyech mocks Israeli supporters attacked in Amsterdam
Sports2 weeks ago

Hakim Ziyech mocks Israeli supporters attacked in Amsterdam

Court jails seven for internet fraud in Kaduna
News2 weeks ago

Court jails seven for internet fraud in Kaduna

Edo APC criticizes Obaseki’s last-minute appointments
News2 weeks ago

Edo APC criticizes Obaseki’s last-minute appointments

Edo PDP announces caretaker committee
News2 weeks ago

Edo PDP announces caretaker committee

Tems makes history after securing 3 nominations for the 67th Grammys
Entertainment2 weeks ago

Tems makes history after securing 3 nominations for the 67th Grammys

Beyoncé surpasses Jay-Z to become the most nominated artist in Grammy history
Entertainment2 weeks ago

Beyoncé surpasses Jay-Z to become the most nominated artist in Grammy history

Davido, Wizkid, Tems, Asake make 2025 Grammy nominations
Entertainment2 weeks ago

Davido, Wizkid, Tems, Asake make 2025 Grammy nominations

Davido, Wizkid, Tems, Asake make 2025 Grammy nominations
Entertainment2 weeks ago

2025 GRAMMY: Academy unveils category changes ahead of nomination event

The Pastor Daughter Story by Miriam Edem _ ANE Story
ANE Stories2 weeks ago

[STORY] THE PASTOR’S DAUGHTER (Final Episode 13)

The Pastor Daughter Story by Miriam Edem _ ANE Story
ANE Stories2 weeks ago

[STORY] THE PASTOR’S DAUGHTER (Episode 12)

The Pastor Daughter Story by Miriam Edem _ ANE Story
ANE Stories2 weeks ago

[STORY] THE PASTOR’S DAUGHTER (Episode 11)

The Pastor Daughter Story by Miriam Edem _ ANE Story
ANE Stories2 weeks ago

[STORY] THE PASTOR’S DAUGHTER (Episode 10)

The Pastor Daughter Story by Miriam Edem _ ANE Story
ANE Stories2 weeks ago

[STORY] THE PASTOR’S DAUGHTER (Episode 09)

The Pastor Daughter Story by Miriam Edem _ ANE Story
ANE Stories2 weeks ago

[STORY] THE PASTOR’S DAUGHTER (Episode 08)

The Pastor Daughter Story by Miriam Edem _ ANE Story
ANE Stories2 weeks ago

[STORY] THE PASTOR’S DAUGHTER (Episode 07)

The Pastor Daughter Story by Miriam Edem _ ANE Story
ANE Stories2 weeks ago

[STORY] THE PASTOR’S DAUGHTER (Episode 06)

The Pastor Daughter Story by Miriam Edem _ ANE Story
ANE Stories2 weeks ago

[STORY] THE PASTOR’S DAUGHTER (Episode 05)

The Pastor Daughter Story by Miriam Edem _ ANE Story
ANE Stories2 weeks ago

[STORY] THE PASTOR’S DAUGHTER (Episode 04)

ANE Billboard Hots



Join "ANE sabi" clique

Don't miss a thing, get ogbonge ANE latest updates to fuel your conversation daily.