Cloudflare’s VPN App Among Half-Dozen Pulled from Indian App Stores Amid Escalating Cybersecurity Concerns

December 27, 2024February 6, 2025 moneymetrics.org_admin Technology

More than half a dozen VPN apps, including Cloudflare’s widely used 1.1.1.1, have been removed from India’s Apple App Store and Google Play Store following intervention from government authorities, TechCrunch has learned.

Table of Contents

The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs’ Removal Orders

According to a document reviewed by TechCrunch and a disclosure made by Google to Lumen, Harvard University’s database that tracks government takedown requests globally, the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs issued removal orders for the apps. Among the affected apps are Hide.me and PrivadoVPN.

Communication from Apple to an Affected Developer

In a communication to one of the affected developers, seen by TechCrunch, Apple cited a ‘demand’ from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, part of the Ministry of Home Affairs, which deemed the developer’s content to contravene Indian law. The exact nature of the demand or the specific laws that were allegedly breached is not clear.

The 2022 Regulatory Framework for VPN Apps in India

This enforcement action marks 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 Against the Regulations

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.

NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark’s Response

Despite withdrawing from marketing their apps in India, NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark continue to maintain services for Indian customers. This move is seen as a compromise between complying with the regulations and maintaining their presence in the Indian market.

Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 App Still Available

Interestingly, Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 app remains available on both Apple’s App Store and Google Play Store, despite being one of the apps affected by the removal orders. The reason behind this discrepancy is unclear.

Reactions from Industry Players

Major industry players have reacted to the development with a mix of surprise and concern. Some have expressed support for the regulations, citing the need for greater accountability in the VPN industry. Others have criticized the move, arguing that it would compromise user anonymity and security.

Impact on Indian Users

The removal of these apps from the app stores may have significant implications for Indian users who relied on them for their online security needs. With many of these apps no longer available, users may need to explore alternative options or consider using different VPN providers that comply with the regulations.

Conclusion

The removal of VPN apps from India’s app stores marks a significant development in the ongoing regulatory debate surrounding VPNs in the country. As the Indian government continues to push for greater accountability and transparency in the industry, it remains to be seen how this will impact the future of VPN services in India.

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