New Delhi: Popular VPN service provider ExpressVPN said it has shut operations in India on the basis of the new guidelines for VPN service providers. The company made the announcement that it is removing all India-based servers, after the Centre ordered all VPN providers to store users’ real names, IP addresses assigned to them, usage patterns, and other identifying data. Notably, the new VPN guidelines by the Central government will take effect from June 27, 2022.Also Read – Explained | What Is India’s New VPN Rules, And How It Can Affect You
What is ExpressVPN?
Known for providing Virtual Private Network service, ExpressVPN is popular among Indian internet users. Founded 13 years ago in 2009, ExpressVPN is owned by Kape Technologies, a United Kingdom-based adware platform. ExpressVPN calls itself a privacy and security tool that encrypts users’ web traffic and masks their IP addresses. Also Read – Attention Google Chrome Users! Govt Has an Urgent Warning About Your Browser. Check Details Here
The company was established by Wharton School alumni Peter Burchhardt and Dan Pomerantz. Later in 2021, ExpressVPN was acquired by Kape Technologies, where the parent company added ExpressVPN to its existing portfolio of other VPN services and antivirus solutions including Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ZenMate; antivirus software maker Intego; and other cybersecurity tools. Also Read – Deeply Committed To India, Making Every Effort To Comply With New IT Guidelines, Twitter Replies to Centre
Internet users must be knowing that ExpressVPN has apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and routers. It also features a Smart DNS feature called MediaStreamer, to add VPN capabilities to devices that do not support them, and a router app, allowing the VPN to be set up on a router.
Why is ExpressVPN shutting operations in India?
In a statement, ExpressVPN said it is removing all India-based VPN servers due to the recent guidelines issued by the central government that requires VPN providers to store user information for at least five years. However, the company said that Indian users will still be able to connect to VPN servers that will give them Indian IP addresses and allow them access to the internet as if they were located in India.
All you need to know about new VPN guidelines?
In April this year, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology issued a new directive that asked the VPN providers to collect and store user data for up to five years. The prime reason given by CERT-In is that it requires the ability to investigate potential cybercrime.
#ExpressVPN announced that it’s removing Indian-based VPN servers After Refusing to Comply with Indian Government Order.
Source: https://t.co/vWKGeEFYeQ#vpn #cybernews pic.twitter.com/i6ENduHKcM
— P.K. Sharma (@pk_sharma2019) June 2, 2022
As per the guidelines, along with VPN providers’ data centers, cloud service providers, and cryptocurrency exchanges must register customers’ names, ownership patterns, contact information and the reason for which they are hiring these services.
The CERT-In said the new guidelines will take effect from June 27, unless the compliance deadline is extended.
The CERT-In further in the guideline said the organisations must report data breaches, fake mobile apps, server infrastructure assaults, and even unlawful access to a user’s social media accounts under CERT-in.
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