Indian government expects VPN providers to follow cybersecurity rules. It wants VPN providers to keep a detailed record of users including the IP address allotted and email address. It should indicate why they are using VPN. Of course, it is an assault on their privacy. It goes against the very idea of using the VPN.

A virtual private network (VPN) conceals the online identity of the user. It establishes a safe and encrypted connection between a user’s device and the internet. As if there is an invisible cloak that keeps you and the data safe. It prevents third parties from tracking the activities and mining the data.

When internet is used without VPN, the data goes to the ISP. A VPN routes the data through a VPN server. This the data before hitting the internet passes through the VPN server and not directly through your device, say a phone or laptop. VPN in fact masks IP address and the data is safe from hackers, government or anyone who keeps an eye on it.

Big corporates use VPNs. Lawyers, researchers, journalists, security experts, activists use VPNs. In India there are 2.7 crore VPN users (Atlas VPN). Almost 45 per cent of internet usage in India happens through VPN (Global VPN Usage Report, 2020).

VPN providers are shifting their India-based VPN servers to other countries such as Singapore to overcome this.