Ban on social media lifted after 7 months in J&K

Speed remains restricted to 2G

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 4: Lifting ban on social media platforms, the Jammu and Kashmir administration today allowed access to all websites on 2G mobile data services and fixed line internet in the Union Territory till March 17.
Ban on social media through mobile internet has been removed exactly after seven months.
Earlier, only access to white-listed sites was allowed as 2G service was restored for a week on January 25 and subsequently extended from time to time, after being snapped on August 5 last year when the Centre abrogated the special status to the erstwhile State and bifurcated it into two Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh.
The fresh order was issued by Principal Secretary, Home, Shaleen Kabra after assessment of the impact of telecom services regulation on the overall security situation and maintenance of public order and reports of law enforcement agencies.

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The order said the internet speed on mobile data service will be restricted to 2G only and the post paid SIM card holders would continue to get access to the internet.
However, then Home Department order said the services would not be made available on pre-paid SIM cards unless verified as per the norms applicable for postpaid connections.
As the period of extension of services was set to expire on Wednesday, the Home Department ordered that 2G mobile data service and fixed line internet connectivity with certain restrictions will now continue till March 17, unless modified earlier.
About fixed line internet connectivity, the Government order said the Internet connectivity would continue to be made available with Mac Binding.
Mac Binding essentially means to enforce a client machine to work from a particular Internet Protocol address.
“It is further directed that the access/communication facilities provided by the Government viz e-terminals/internet kiosks apart from special arrangements for tourists, students, traders etc shall continue,” the Government order said.
It asked the Inspector Generals of Police, Kashmir and Jammu divisions, to ensure communication of these directions to service providers forthwith and also ensure implementation of the directions with immediate effect.
While continuing the ban on social media, authorities had last month said that anti-national elements and people across the border continue to “misuse” these networking sites allowing peer-to-peer communication and virtual private networks (VPNs).
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) were asked to ensure access to 1,674 white-listed sites only and not to any social media applications.
The restrictions on mobile and internet services were partially eased after the Supreme Court said in January that access to the Internet is a fundamental right under Article 19 of the Constitution and asked the Government to review the curbs.
Meanwhile, people of Kashmir heaved a sigh of relief as a ban on social media was lifted by the authorities today.
“Finally, we can connect with the rest of the world without using virtual private networks (VPNs),” Sajad Ahmad, a Srinagar resident, said.
There was disbelief among some netizens about the sudden restoration of access to social media applications and sites.
“I do not know what has changed in the past few months that the Government has lifted the ban. The ban in the first place was misplaced and unnecessary,” Naveed Anjum, a software programmer, said.
Iltija Mufti, daughter of PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, also commented on the development.
“Seems like J&K admin finally realised futility of ban on SM since Kashmiris circumvented it through VPNs. Simply became a cat & mouse chase where Kashmiris outwitted state apparatus i.e. Big Brother,” she tweeted from her mother’s Twitter handle.

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