A significant development has taken place in India’s tech landscape, with more than half a dozen popular VPN apps being removed from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store following government intervention. This move marks the first major implementation of India’s 2022 regulatory framework governing VPN apps.
The Affected Apps
Among the affected apps are:
- 1.1.1.1, Cloudflare’s widely used VPN service
- Hide.me
- PrivadoVPN
- Other VPN apps have also been removed, although their names have not been disclosed
Reason for Removal
According to a document reviewed by TechCrunch and a disclosure made by Google to Lumen (Harvard University’s database tracking government takedown requests globally), the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs issued removal orders for the apps. Apple cited a "demand" from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, part of the Ministry of Home Affairs, which deemed the developers’ content to contravene Indian law.
India’s VPN Regulations
The enforcement action marks the first significant implementation of India’s 2022 regulatory framework governing VPN apps. The rules mandate that VPN providers and cloud service operators maintain comprehensive records of their customers, including:
- Names
- Addresses
- IP addresses
- Transaction histories
These records must be kept for a period of five years.
Industry Reaction
The stringent requirements have prompted significant pushback from major industry players. Leading brands like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN have voiced reservations about the rules, with several announcing plans to withdraw their server infrastructure from India.
Current Status
Although NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark continue to maintain services for Indian customers, they have stopped marketing their apps in the country. Proton VPN has also suspended its operations in India due to the regulatory requirements.
Background on the Regulations
The Indian government introduced the 2022 regulations as part of efforts to strengthen data protection and cybersecurity laws. The rules aim to ensure that VPN providers and cloud service operators comply with local laws and regulations, while maintaining user anonymity.
Industry Implications
This development has significant implications for the VPN industry, which relies on India as a key market. Major players are re-evaluating their operations in the country, considering withdrawal of server infrastructure or suspension of services due to regulatory requirements.
Conclusion
The removal of popular VPN apps from Indian app stores is a significant development in the tech landscape. The implementation of India’s 2022 regulations governing VPN apps has sparked industry-wide concerns about data protection and cybersecurity laws.
