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Internet Ban Lifted in J&K

Social media services have been restored in Jammu and Kashmir
Social media services have been restored in Jammu and Kashmir

Social media services have been restored in Jammu and Kashmir following seven months of restrictions

Following nearly seven months of internet restrictions imposed by the government during the abrogation of Article 370, the authorities in Jammu and Kashmir restored the social media services on March 4. Majority of the mobile networks were restored, however they were restricted to the 2G speed as the ban on high-speed internet still holds till March 17.

Fixed line network users will have no speed restrictions however, the services would be available with Mac-binding which will facilitate in ensuring particular IP and Mac addresses for client machines. These restrictions were removed after a review under the J&K Home Department, early on March 4. According to the J&K DGP Dilbag Singh, social media would continue to be monitored and anyone found misusing the services would be held accountable under the law.

On January 25, the J&K Home Department had issued lifting the ban on internet sevices with 2G networks, since August 5, for about 300 ‘white-listed sites’ which did not include any social media applications allowing virtual private networks (VPNs) or peer to peer communications.

Government provided e-terminals and internet kiosks would continue to work, according to the authorities. The J&K government shut down all kinds of communications including the mobile networks and fixed line services on August 5, 2019, ahead of the passing of the J&K Reorganisation Bill in the Parliament. The bill had revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.