Cybercrime body cites surge in hoax emails to crack down on VPN apps: report

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) directed Google to remove multiple VPN apps and Chrome extensions on 29 October, following non-compliance by their developers in providing details to Indian authorities on hoax threats targeting schools, airports, and hospitals, Hindustan Times reported on Tuesday.

The tech giant was ordered to remove 11 VPN apps, two Chrome extensions, and one Windows installer link within 36 hours, or risk losing safe harbor protection.

The VPN service providers did not respond to requests from Indian agencies to help in identifying those behind life-threatening emails and messages, HT reported citing I4C.

“The VPN service providers have been non-compliant to the information/resolution request served by Indian Agencies for identifying the criminals sending life-threatening emails/messages,” the I4C notice said, adding that the hoax messages have caused panic, threatening public safety across various institutions.

Google shared the notice with Harvard University’s Lumen database. It had cited violations under several provisions of the Information Technology Act, including section 66, and provisions from the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to organized crime and national security.

Consequently, 11 VPN apps, including Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1, HideMe, Privado, and Potato VPN, along with Chrome extensions Touch VPN and X VPN, were removed from Play Store.