The Indian government's decision to temporarily restrict access to messaging app Telegram has sparked a surge in VPN usage among users seeking workarounds.
What Happened
On June 16, India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) ordered Google and Apple to delist Telegram from their app stores until June 22. The move was aimed at preventing cheating ahead of the NEET-UG medical entrance re-exam on June 21.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) had requested the blackout, claiming bad actors were using the app's message-editing feature to spread fabricated exam papers and fake leak evidence. Telegram has challenged the Indian government's order in the Delhi High Court to restore service.
Background and Context
The decision to restrict access to Telegram follows a controversy surrounding the NEET-UG paper leak, which forced authorities to schedule a nationwide re-test. Investigators flagged several Telegram channels allegedly involved in circulating leaked or fake exam papers, prompting emergency restrictions on the platform.
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has publicly challenged the crackdown, arguing that removing Telegram from app stores and restricting access would not eliminate leaks, claiming the activity would simply migrate elsewhere online. He further suggested that competitive interests could also be influencing the pressur
Why it Matters to the Industry
The technical execution of the ban has sparked major controversy, stretching the impact far beyond India's borders. To enforce the block, Indian internet service providers allegedly resorted to tampering with global internet traffic routes.
Doug Madory, Director of Internet Analysis at Kentik, reported that telecom Reliance "AS18101 of India hijacked BGP routes belonging to Telegram." BGP, or Border Gateway Protocol, is the underlying system that directs traffic across the Internet. When a provider hijacks these routes, it essentially creates a fake detour, sending traffic into a black hole.
This method caused severe collateral damage, accidentally blocking Telegram for users in countries like the United Arab Emirates. Telegram CEO Pavel Durov publicly condemned the move, claiming that the Indian telecom company was sabotaging global access and advising network operators to "be cautious of such actions."
What Comes Next
The surge in VPN usage among users seeking workarounds has highlighted the importance of reliable VPN services for maintaining uninterrupted access to basic communication tools. A virtual Private Network masks your real IP address and routes your connection through a secure server in another country, allowing you to easily unblock restricted apps like Telegram.
David Peterson, General Manager at Proton VPN, confirmed a +150% spike above normal levels, noting the rapid influx of new users trying to circumvent the sudden censorship. The company described the increase as "extremely noteworthy" given its existing scale in the country.
Key Facts
- The Indian government temporarily restricted access to Telegram until June 22 over concerns about exam-related fraud.
- App intelligence firm Appfigures reported a 49% increase in VPN app downloads on Tuesday, the day India announced the Telegram restriction.
- Proton VPN and Turbo VPN recorded some of the largest increases in downloads, with Proton VPN's App Store downloads jumping 113% and Turbo VPN's Google Play downloads rising 85%.
- The surge in VPN demand followed India's decision to temporarily restrict Telegram until June 22 over concerns that fraudsters were using the platform to target candidates ahead of a re-test for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate).
- Telegram has challenged the Indian government's order in the Delhi High Court, arguing that authorities should target specific content rather than block the entire platform.
