Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are used by different people for different purposes. There are many who use it to stream stuff that isn’t available in India, and then there are those who use it for illegal things as well. VPN allows a user to stay anonymous on the internet and do anything and everything that can be done on the web. Because of the risks and the disadvantages it brings for the authorities in identifying a user, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs has requested the government to restrict the use of VPN in India.
VPN Ban In India Would Also Make People Insecure
Every technology can be used for both good and wrong purposes. While it is fair to say that VPN helps the user in staying anonymous, banning it outright doesn’t sound right for multiple reasons. There are many people who use VPNs when they are connected to a public network or servers to keep their devices secure from getting hacked into. VPNs are also helpful in maintaining privacy as the apps and websites that collect information regularly won’t be able to get accurate data. Further, VPNs are also used by businesses to ensure that their data is always safe, and that is why the enterprises keep changing the location of the server.
VPN Allows Criminals to Stay Anonymous
According to a report from MediaNama, the committee has asked the Ministry of Home Affairs to strengthen its ability on identifying users who are hiding with the help of VPN and are on the dark web.
Ultimately, the committee wants the government to block the use of VPNs in India with the help of a ‘coordination mechanism’ in collaboration with the international agencies. The committee wants the Home Ministry to join hands with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) for identifying all the VPNs available in India and blocking them completely with the help of internet service providers (ISPs).
