Cloudflare's VPN App Removed from Half of India's Major App Stores

In a significant move, more than half a dozen popular VPN apps, including the widely used Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1, have been removed from India’s Apple App Store and Google Play Store following intervention from government authorities.

Background: Government Intervention

According to a document reviewed by TechCrunch, the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs issued removal orders for the apps. This decision was made in response to demands from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (ICC), part of the Ministry of Home Affairs, which deemed the affected developers’ content to contravene Indian law.

Affected Apps

Among the VPN apps removed from the app stores are:

Hide.me
PrivadoVPN

These removals mark the first significant implementation of India’s 2022 regulatory framework governing VPN apps. The rules mandate that VPN providers and cloud service operators maintain comprehensive records of their customers, including names, addresses, IP addresses, and transaction histories, for a five-year period.

Industry Pushback

The stringent requirements prompted pushback from major industry players. Leading brands like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN voiced significant reservations about the rules, with several announcing plans to withdraw their server infrastructure from India.

Current Status

Despite the removal of the apps from app stores, some of these VPN providers continue to maintain services for Indian customers. However, they have stopped marketing their apps in the country.

Impact on Users

The move by the Indian government has raised concerns among users about the potential impact on online security and freedom. With several popular VPN apps no longer available on app stores, users may struggle to access secure internet connectivity.

Government Response

The Ministry of Home Affairs, as well as Apple, Google, and Cloudflare, did not respond to requests for comment.

Industry Reaction

In a statement, NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark expressed their reservations about the Indian government’s rules. They stated that they would continue to maintain services for Indian customers but have stopped marketing their apps in the country.

Conclusion

The removal of popular VPN apps from India’s app stores marks a significant development in the ongoing debate about online security and freedom. As the Indian government continues to crack down on VPN providers, users may need to seek alternative methods for accessing secure internet connectivity.

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