J&K Internet Ban Partially Lifted, Only 300 Websites Accessible

The Indian government is finally starting to put an end to the internet shutdown across Jammu and Kashmir. J&K government officials issued orders torestore 2G internet access limited to 301 websitesin the region over the weekend.

Limited internet connectivity services can be availed on post-paid and pre-paid mobile SIM cards. The limitations are applicable forbroadband connectionsof institutions that got reinstated a couple of weeks back as well.

These301 whitelisted websitesinclude search engines, education websites, employment websites, entertainment services, email services, news sites, and utilities. The order suggests that the restriction will be effective until January 31.

In the allowed entertainment websites, there arepopular video streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hotstarwhich are highly unlikely to function on 2G data speeds.

The allowed search engines include Google, Yahoo, Ask, and MSN while privacy-focused search engines likeDuckDuckGoare excluded. In addition,VPN appsare blocked as well.

AsThe Wirepoints out, reputed Indian newspaper websites are allowed along with a few foreign news outlets including The New York Times, BBC, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post.

Unfortunately, there areno social media websitesor any apps that will allow communication on the list.“Access shall be limited to whitelisted sites and not to any social media applications allowing peer to peer communication and Virtual Private Network Application,”states the order.

With all that said, it is worth acknowledging that this is is a good first step towards revoking the complete internet shutdown, which reportedly resulted inhuge business lossesapart from the inconveniences caused to the citizens. We hope the government does the needful to offer complete internet services sooner rather than later.

Subin B

Subin writes about consumer tech, software, and security. He secretly misses the headphone jack while pretending he’s better off with the wireless freedom.

Add new comment

Name

Email ID

Δ

01

02

03

04

05