India ordered more internet shutdowns than Iran, Russia, and Myanmar combined in 2023. The practice has become routine — triggered by exams, protests, elections, and local unrest.
Source: Software Freedom Law Centre (SFLC) India
India regularly shuts down internet during public exams to prevent cheating — affecting millions of businesses, hospitals, and emergency services for exam-takers' convenience.
After Article 370 was revoked in August 2019, the Kashmir Valley had its internet cut for 213 consecutive days. 4G was restored only in February 2021 — 18 months later.
India invoked Section 69A of the IT Act to ban over 200 apps — primarily Chinese — citing national security. Many apps returned under new names or Indian subsidiaries, but the government reserves the right to reinstate bans at will.
Section 69A — The Block Button
The Ministry of Electronics and IT can block any app or website "in the interest of sovereignty, integrity, defence, security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States or public order." No prior notice. No public order required.
Chinese origin / national security
Chinese company Tencent ownership
Data sharing with Chinese servers
Data privacy concerns
Malware found in version
Chinese e-commerce platform
In April 2022, India's Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) issued a directive requiring all VPN service providers to collect and retain user data for at least 5 years — even after a subscription ends.
Major VPN providers including ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and IPVanish removed their Indian servers entirelyrather than comply. This means their "India" servers are now physically located abroad — slower, less reliable.
Horizon VPN's architecture uses RAM-only servers with zero persistent logging. There is no user data to hand over — even if compelled by court order. Our India-optimized routing gives you fast local speeds without local risk.
India has perfected using internet blackouts as a tool to suppress dissent. The pattern: protests begin, mobile internet goes dark, protests lose momentum.
Citizenship Amendment Act protests triggered shutdowns across UP, Delhi, Assam, Karnataka, West Bengal, and Rajasthan.
Farmers' protest against farm bills led to repeated shutdowns along Delhi border states.
Mobile internet cut during sensitive political news cycles — a pattern critics call 'information management.'
Indian Olympic wrestlers protesting against WFI chief had mobile internet restricted near Jantar Mantar.
When mobile internet is throttled (not completely cut), a VPN can still route your traffic through tunnels that bypass ISP-level throttling. Many activists used VPNs to maintain communication during the CAA and Farmers' protests.
Reporters Without Borders ranks India 161st globally for press freedom. Journalists face sedition charges, the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, and IT Act Section 66A (struck down, but still misused) for online speech.
When ISPs throttle — not fully cut — a VPN can tunnel through the slowdown via encrypted packets that look like normal HTTPS traffic.
Horizon's RAM-only servers store zero connection metadata. There is nothing to hand to CERT-In — we can't comply with data demands if there's no data.
Stream content from PUBG's overseas region, access research from banned Chinese platforms, or use TikTok through a non-Indian IP.
Journalists, activists, and researchers in India need encrypted tunnels to protect their sources and their own security from government surveillance.
No. Using a VPN is not illegal in India. However, using it for illegal activities (like cybercrime) is. The CERT-In 2022 directive targets VPN providers, not users — it requires providers to collect your data, not bans VPN usage itself.
It depends on the type of shutdown. If mobile internet is throttled (slowed down), a VPN can often tunnel through restrictions. If internet is completely cut at the infrastructure level (as in Kashmir 2019), no VPN can work without a network signal.
India's Computer Emergency Response Team issued a 2022 directive requiring VPN providers to collect and retain user information (name, email, IP, address) for at least 5 years. Several major VPNs withdrew Indian servers rather than comply. Horizon VPN uses RAM-only servers that store no persistent data.
Yes. By connecting to a server outside India, you can access TikTok and other apps banned under Section 69A orders. Your traffic appears to originate from a non-Indian IP, bypassing the content block.
Horizon uses AES-256 encryption for all traffic, stores no connection logs, and routes your traffic through RAM-only servers. This means your ISP, employer, or government cannot see what sites you visit or who you communicate with.
600+ shutdowns per year. CERT-In logging. Section 69A bans. Horizon VPN gives you a secure, no-log tunnel that respects your rights — no matter what the Ministry orders tonight.
No logging • RAM-only servers • 30-day money back guarantee
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