Indian Government Intervenes: Dozens of VPN Apps Removed from Apple App Store and Google Play Store
India’s Ministry of Home Affairs has issued removal orders for over a dozen popular VPN apps, including Cloudflare’s widely used 1.1.1.1 app, following intervention from government authorities. The affected apps include Hide.me and PrivadoVPN, among others.
The Indian Regulatory Framework: A Five-Year Rule
India introduced its regulatory framework governing VPN apps in 2022, which mandates that VPN providers and cloud service operators maintain comprehensive records of their customers, including names, addresses, IP addresses, and transaction histories for a period of five years. This stringent requirement has prompted significant pushback from major industry players.
Industry Pushback: NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN
Leading brands like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN have voiced significant reservations about the rules. Several major companies announced plans to withdraw their server infrastructure from India due to the new regulations. However, some of these companies continue to maintain services for Indian customers, albeit without marketing their apps in the country.
The Impact on VPN Users
The removal of popular VPN apps from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store has left many users concerned about their online security and privacy. The enforcement action marks a significant development in India’s efforts to regulate VPN usage within its borders.
A Communication from Apple: A ‘Demand’ from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre
In a communication to one of the affected developers, seen by TechCrunch, Apple cited a ‘demand’ from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (IC3C) part of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The IC3C deemed the developer’s content to contravene Indian law.
The Role of Google and Cloudflare
Cloudflare has been at the forefront of India’s VPN regulations, with their popular 1.1.1.1 app being among those removed from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Google has also disclosed information regarding takedown requests made by government authorities. However, neither the Ministry of Home Affairs nor Cloudflare have responded to requests for comment.
Key Players: A Closer Look
- Cloudflare: A leading cloud platform that offers a range of services including VPNs.
- Apple: A global tech giant with significant presence in India through its Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
- Google: A dominant player in the Indian digital market, operating both the Google Play Store and a popular search engine.
A Broader Context: Regulatory Pressures on Tech Giants
This development marks a significant milestone in India’s regulatory efforts to govern VPN usage. As more countries look to introduce similar regulations, industry players are likely to face increased scrutiny and pressure to comply with local laws.
Manish Singh, Senior Reporter at TechCrunch
Manish Singh is a senior reporter at TechCrunch, covering India’s startup scene and venture capital investments. He also reports on global tech firms’ India play. Before joining TechCrunch in 2019, Singh wrote for about a dozen publications, including CNBC and VentureBeat.
