by Another of the best VPN providers in the world has announced its decision to disconnect its Indian servers.
After ExpressVPN left India last week, Surfshark has now followed suit, saying the country’s new CERT-In regulations “go against the company’s fundamental ethics”.
Due to come into force on June 27, India’s new data retention law will require VPN companies to retain user data – like IP addresses, real names and usage patterns – for up to five years. They will also be required to turn over this information to the authorities upon request.
Surfshark Head of Legal Gytis Malinauskas said the company, which operates under a strict no-logs policy, is not willing to compromise its values or technical base.
Collect and store customer data? NOPE! We value people’s privacy – that’s why we oppose India’s new data regulation law ⚖️ We will be shutting down our Indian physical servers. However, you will be able to connect to virtual servers via Singapore and London – see our server list 🌏June 7, 2022
What does this change for Surfshark users in India?
After the new regulations come into effect, Surfshark is set to introduce virtual Indian servers to replace its physical servers in the country, saying they will be ‘functionally identical to the physical ones’.
Until then, Surfshark subscribers will still be able to connect to physical servers located in the country as usual.
Once the virtual servers are available, the provider’s users will find those browsing through its regular server list. They will have the option to choose to redirect their connection through Singapore or London, while obtaining an Indian IP address. The only difference is that the physical server will be located outside the country so that user data is safe from the control of Indian authorities.
“In the meantime, Surfshark will continue to closely monitor the government’s attempts to limit internet freedom and encourage discussions aimed at persuading the government to hear the tech industry’s arguments,” the provider wrote in a statement. official statement. (opens in a new tab).
What is India’s new data retention law?
India’s new data retention law does not only affect VPNs, but also cloud storage services, virtual private servers (VPS), data centers, and cryptocurrency exchanges. An attempt to combat cybercrime, it has caused widespread concern among the tech industry and privacy groups.
Commentators fear a country where media freedom is regressing – India has just fallen to 150th out of 180 countries (opens in a new tab) in the 2022 Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index – can easily abuse these guidelines to tighten their grip on the general public.
At the same time, experts believe that this climate could also have a negative impact on India’s growing IT sector. As Sudip Saha, COO of Future Market Insights, told TechRadar, “VPN bans will primarily harm corporate interests by discouraging investment and business in India.”
