A regional high court in India has ordered the government to block access to Proton Mail, a Switzerland-based encrypted email service, after a complaint alleged its platform was used to send sexually explicit and AI-generated abusive content.
The Ruling
The High Court of Karnataka, a state in southern India, issued the directive on April 29, instructing the Indian central government to begin formal proceedings to block the service under Section 69A of India’s Information Technology Act (2008). This law allows authorities to restrict access to digital platforms hosting unlawful or harmful content.
“Until such proceedings are taken up and concluded by the Government of India, the offending URLs… shall be blocked forthwith.”
— Justice M. Nagaprasanna, High Court of Karnataka
Why it Matters
Proton Mail, based in Switzerland, is known for end-to-end encryption — meaning even the company cannot read the mails. It’s widely used by journalists, whistleblowers, and privacy advocates worldwide.
But encryption also poses challenges for law enforcement, and this case highlights a global debate over privacy vs. regulation, especially in democracies like India that are tightening control over internet services.
India has increasingly invoked Section 69A to block apps and platforms, including TikTok and X (formerly Twitter), often citing public order or national security.
Proton Mail, which has more than 100 million users globally, is the latest foreign tech company caught in India’s growing push for digital sovereignty.
What triggered it
The legal complaint was filed in January 2025 by M Moser Design Associates India Pvt Ltd, an architecture and design firm. It claimed that employees received emails through Proton Mail containing:
- Vulgar and obscene language
- AI-generated deepfake images
- Sexually explicit material
The emails were allegedly sent anonymously, exploiting Proton Mail’s strong privacy protections.
Conclusion
Proton Mail is governed by Swiss privacy laws, which prohibit it from sharing user data directly with foreign governments. However, the company has said it will comply with valid Swiss legal orders, which can be shared with international law enforcement under formal cooperation agreements.
This is the second time Proton Mail has faced threats of a ban in India. As of writing, Proton Mail remains accessible in India.
Source:hxxps[://]www[.]livelaw[.]in/high-court/karnataka-high-court/karnataka-high-court-hearing-central-government-ban-proton-mail-290709
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