India, Dec. 30 -- Authorities in the Budgam, Pulwama and Kulgam districts of the Kashmir Valley have moved to restrict Virtual Private Network (VPN) services, citing concerns that the encrypted digital tools are being used to circumvent security monitoring and coordinate activities "prejudicial to law and order."

The District Administration of Budgam issued a formal order on Monday, suspending all VPN services on mobile devices for a period of two months. The directive, issued by District Magistrate Budgam under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, followed a report from the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) highlighting an "unprecedented rise" in VPN usage in recent days.

According to the official order, auth...