India Orders Block of Proton Mail Over Obscenity Complaint

An Indian court has ordered the blocking of Proton Mail, a widely used encrypted email service known for its robust security features. On Tuesday, the Karnataka High Court issued a directive to the Indian government to block Proton Mail in the country, following a legal complaint by New Delhi-based M Moser Design Associates. During the hearing, which was live-streamed on YouTube, Justice M Nagaprasanna instructed the government to "block Proton Mail, considering the observations made in the course of the order," under the Information Technology Act of 2008. The local design firm alleged that its employees had received emails containing obscene and vulgar content sent through Proton Mail. M Moser Design Associates first filed the complaint in January, calling for either the regulation or outright blocking of Proton Mail in India. The firm argued that the email service had refused to disclose the sender's details, even after a police complaint was registered. Aravind Kamath, representing the Indian government, noted during the hearing that the government's role might be limited in this matter. He suggested that criminal courts could request the necessary information from Swiss authorities, given Proton Mail’s headquarters are in Switzerland. As of the latest check by TechCrunch, the block has not yet been implemented, and Proton Mail's website remains accessible in India. TechCrunch has reached out to Proton Mail for comment and will update the story if they receive a response. This recent order is the latest in a series of legal battles Proton Mail has faced in India. Just last year, the police department of Tamil Nadu requested a block after discovering that Proton Mail was used to send hoax bomb threats to local schools. Following this, the Indian government’s IT ministry directed internet service providers to block Proton Mail. However, Swiss federal authorities intervened, preventing the block from being enforced. Proton Mail previously stated that blocking the service would not deter cybercriminals, who can easily switch to other email platforms, particularly if they are based outside of India. Instead, such a block would primarily hinder lawful communication, making it difficult for Indian citizens to use a secure email service. In October 2024, the Delhi High Court also directed state police and the Indian government’s home ministry to investigate the alleged use of Proton Mail across the country. Kamath assured the Karnataka High Court that he would review the Delhi High Court’s findings on Proton Mail's activities in India. These developments underscore the ongoing tension between security and surveillance in the digital age. While Proton Mail emphasizes the importance of encryption and privacy, law enforcement agencies in India are seeking greater control to address potential misuse of the platform. The outcome of these investigations and the eventual enforcement of the block could have significant implications for users and other encrypted services in the country.