India lifts social media ban in Kashmir

Close to seven months after India banned internet facilities in Jammu and Kashmir, restricting the use of all social media, it has lifted some of the curbs.

The order to lift the ban on social media was issued on Wednesday without the requisite whitelist of websites. “People would now be allowed unrestricted internet access with 2G speed,” a freshly issued government order states.

Internet services in the valley would also be available on landline connections, but this permission will be granted following verification

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Earlier, the government had provided a list of specific websites which could be accessed in J&K. The list did not include popular social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.

The latest directions came after a review of the situation by the J&K Home department. “These services shall not be made available on prepaid sim cards,” the order highlighted.

Internet services in the valley would also be available on landline connections, but this permission will be granted following verification.

Today’s order by Principal Secretary (J&K) Shaleen Kabra specified that some restrictions like the speed of internet (for now limited to 2G) will continue.

For now communication facilities provided by the government vie e-terminals, internet kiosks, apart from special arrangements for tourists, students and traders etc shall also continue.

Readers would note that internet was suspended across Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019. While internet facilities were restored in a phased manner across the valley, restrictions on social media continued till now.

Many Kashmiris used VPN applications to mask their location while browsing social media, effectively helping them to circumvent the government ban.

On Feb. 17, the cyber police station in Srinagar registered a report against 200 unnamed social media users who allegedly defied government orders and misused the platforms.