Authorities in Rajouri district have suspended all kinds of VPNs till the culmination of elections in the district.
Whereas, a communication has been received from the office of Senior Superintendent of Police, Rajouri vide No. CS/DPO/PE/2024/6687-91 dated 23.04.2024 regarding unprecedented high usage of virtual private Networks (VPNs) during past few days in different part of this district by score of suspicious internet users; and Whereas, VPN transmits get encrypted and creates point to point tunnel, masks IP address and lets sidestep website blocks and firewall on internet thus making data related to forthcoming Lok Sabha Elections & other sensitive data vulnerable to cyber attacks; reads the order issued by District Magistrate Rajouri, a copy of which lies with a News Agency.
“Whereas, as it has become imperative to take immediate preventive measures to protect/save all data/information related to ensuing Lok Sabha Elections and other sensitive vulnerable data from cyber attacks.” It reads.
“Therefore; in view of the above, I, Rajeev Kumar Khajuria, JKAS, Additional District Magistrate, Rajouri in exercise of powers vested in me, under Section 144 Cr. PC, do hereby order to suspend all kinds of virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in the mobile phones in district Rajouri till culmination of election process in this district.” It states further.
