In 2022, India enforced a ban on more than 200 Chinese apps like PUBG Mobile and TikTok under Section 69A of the IT Act, allowing the MeitY (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology) to ban any app or service deemed a national security threat. ProtonMail, a widely used end-to-end encryption email platform, appears to be potentially targeted for the ban next.
As reported by Hindustan Times on February 8, 2024, 13 private schools in Chennai were targeted with fake bomb threats, sent via Proton Mail, prompting scrutiny from Meity. Subsequently, the Tamil Nadu police urged the IT Ministry to block Proton Mail in response to this incident.
Despite the police’s efforts to trace the IP address of the user behind the bomb threats, they were unsuccessful in apprehending them. Interpol was also contacted for assistance, but their involvement did not yield the desired outcome.
On February 14, 2024, approximately a week after the incident, the Section 69A blocking committee convened and concluded to block Proton Mail within the country, according to the report. Historical trends indicate that the committee will instruct Apple and Google to remove the Proton Mail app from their respective app stores through a ban order.
Furthermore, the Department of Telecommunications will implement the ban or “block” once the final order is forwarded to them. As of the current writing, the order has not been issued yet. Both the app and the website remain operational, but it is anticipated that an order will be dispatched shortly. However, the report indicates uncertainty regarding the exact course of action to be taken.
This action aligns with India’s previous bans on encrypted apps such as Threema and Briar last year, citing their alleged use by terrorists in Jammu & Kashmir. Nonetheless, this is not the first instance where Proton has faced such circumstances. In 2022, India’s revised VPN privacy policy led Proton VPN to withdraw its physical servers from the country.
Additionally, Proton Mail has informed Hindustan Times that they received a “potential block” notification from MeitY “a few days ago.” However, they expressed dissatisfaction with the situation.
As per the report, a statement from Proton stated, “We strongly oppose a potential block as a misguided action that will adversely affect regular users. Blocking Proton access is an ineffective and unjustified response to the alleged threats. It won’t deter cybercriminals from using alternative email services or be effective if the perpetrators are based outside of India.”
A spokesperson for Proton stated that they are “actively working to address this situation” with the Indian government. Additionally, they emphasized their commitment to “regularly removing users engaged in such activities and expressed willingness to cooperate within the framework of international agreements”.
As cyberattacks continue to increase, educational institutions remain vulnerable due to insufficient cybersecurity measures. However, will blocking Proton Mail or similar platforms effectively mitigate these threats? Let us know in the comments below.
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