Context
Recently, ExpressVPN has removed its servers from India, becoming the first major virtual private network (VPN) provider to do so in the aftermath of the recent cybersecurity rules introduced by the country’s cybersecurity agency.
- Indian users of ExpressVPN will still be able to use its service via “virtual” India servers located in Singapore and the UK.
What is Virtual Private Network (VPN)?
- It is built on top of existing physical Internet networks.
- It is the most economical and secure method of connecting private networks over the Internet.
- It helps mobile users to connect to their corporate network from the Internet.
What are India’s new VPN norms?
- The Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology issued new norms for VPN companies to record personal information of their users including names, email id, phone number and IP address for a period of five years.
- They also have to record usage patterns, purpose of hiring services and various other information.
- Apart from VPN companies, data centres, virtual service network providers, cloud service providers have also been asked to record and maintain similar data.
- The directives will take effect at the end of June. And if the data is not handed over to the government by then, the entities would face punitive action.
Need
- These rules will “enhance overall cyber security posture and ensure safe & trusted internet in the country”.
