The Karnataka High Court in India has ordered the government to block Proton Mail, an encrypted email service, due to allegations of misuse for sending hoax bomb threats and harassing emails. The court's decision, made on April 29, 2025, directs the government to "block forthwith" domain names associated with Proton Mail under the country's Information Technology Act of 2008.
Background Of The Case:
- A New Delhi-based design firm, M Moser Design Associated India Pvt Ltd, filed a lawsuit in January 2025, accusing its employees of receiving offensive emails through Proton Mail.
- The emails allegedly contained obscene, abusive, and sexually explicit content, including AI-generated deepfake images, targeting female employees and causing harm to their mental well-being and the company's reputation .
Proton Mail's Encryption and Privacy Features:
- Proton Mail uses end-to-end encryption to protect email content, ensuring only the sender and recipient can read the message.
- As a Swiss company, Proton Mail is bound by Swiss law, which restricts transmitting user data to foreign authorities without a valid request from Swiss authorities .
Potential Impact and Controversies:
- The ban may affect India's estimated 100 million digital asset holders and cryptocurrency users who value secure and private communication.
- Critics argue that blocking Proton Mail won't stop cybercriminals, as they can switch to other email services, and it may infringe on citizens' right to private and secure communication.
- This ruling is part of a larger trend of increasing regulatory scrutiny on encrypted communication platforms globally .
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