Google and Apple remove popular VPN apps from India amid regulatory crackdown

Several virtual private network (VPN) applications have been removed from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store in India, marking a significant enforcement move nearly two years after the government introduced stringent data retention rules for VPN service providers.

As reported by TechCrunch, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued directives to Google and Apple on October 29, mandating the removal of multiple VPN apps. These actions align with India’s April 2022 regulations, requiring VPN providers to collect and store customer details for five years, including names, addresses, and IP information. This order is aimed at increasing accountability and transparency in VPN services offered within the country.

Notable VPN services, including Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1, Touch VPN, X-VPN, Hide.me, and PrivadoVPN, were taken down following the directive. Both Google and Apple have complied, making these apps inaccessible to Indian users.

However, major players such as Proton VPN, ExpressVPN, Private Internet Access, and Mullvad remain available for download, suggesting selective enforcement of the removal orders.

In response to the 2022 regulations, prominent VPN providers like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark refused to comply, citing privacy concerns. As a result, these companies shuttered their physical servers in India but continued to offer services to Indian users through servers in other locations.

The removal of VPN applications is seen as a significant step in enforcing compliance with the government’s data retention policy. However, it also raises questions about privacy and access to secure internet tools in a digital era.

With some VPN apps still operational in India, the future of VPN usage in the country remains uncertain.