On April 29, 2025, the Karnataka High Court directed the Indian government to block access to Proton Mail, a Swiss-based encrypted email service, under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000. The directive followed a petition by M Moser Design Associates India Pvt Ltd, alleging that anonymous Proton Mail users had sent abusive emails, including AI-generated deepfake images, targeting a female employee.
The court's order mandates the Centre to initiate proceedings to block Proton Mail, citing concerns over the platform's end-to-end encryption and user anonymity, which hinder law enforcement investigations. Justice M. Nagaprasanna emphasized the need for action under the IT Act's provisions.
As of now, Proton Mail remains accessible in India, pending the government's execution of the court's directive. The situation underscores the ongoing tension between digital privacy services and regulatory frameworks in India.
