Cloudflare’s VPN App Among Half Dozen Pulled From Indian App Stores Over Regulatory Compliance Issues
Background
The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs has issued removal orders for more than a dozen popular VPN apps, including Cloudflare’s widely used 1.1.1.1, from the country’s Apple App Store and Google Play Store. This move marks the first significant implementation of India’s 2022 regulatory framework governing VPN apps.
Affected Apps
Among the affected apps are Hide.me and PrivadoVPN, which have been removed from both app stores due to a ‘demand’ from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, part of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Apple cited this demand as the reason for removing the apps, stating that they deemed the developer content to contravene Indian law.
Regulatory Framework
India’s 2022 regulatory framework governing VPN apps mandates that providers and cloud service operators maintain comprehensive records of their customers, including names, addresses, IP addresses, and transaction histories, for a five-year period. This stringent requirement has prompted pushback from major industry players.
Industry Reaction
Leading brands like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN have voiced significant reservations about the rules, with several announcing plans to withdraw their server infrastructure from India. Despite this, NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark continue to maintain services for Indian customers, though they have stopped marketing their apps in the country.
Enforcement Action
This enforcement action is a result of the government’s efforts to regulate VPNs and ensure that operators comply with local laws. The move has sparked concerns among industry players and users alike, who fear that this may be the start of more stringent regulations.
Government Response
The Ministry of Home Affairs, as well as Apple, Google, and Cloudflare, have not responded to requests for comment on this matter. It remains to be seen how this development will impact the VPN industry in India.
Implications
This move has significant implications for VPN users in India, who may find themselves without access to their preferred services. The government’s push for stricter regulations raises questions about user data protection and online freedom.
Cloudflare’s Response
Cloudflare has been a vocal advocate for internet freedom and user privacy. While the company has not commented on this specific incident, it has expressed concerns about the implications of India’s regulatory framework on its 1.1.1.1 app.
Global Reactions
The global VPN industry is watching India’s developments closely, with many operators voicing concerns about the country’s strict regulations. This move may set a precedent for other countries to follow suit, potentially impacting the entire VPN market.
Conclusion
India’s removal of VPN apps from its app stores marks a significant step in the government’s efforts to regulate the industry. As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how this will impact users and operators alike.
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About the Author
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. He graduated in Computer Science and Engineering in 2015. He is reachable on manish@techcrunch.com.
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