SRINAGAR: The government on Wednesday lifted the unprecedented seven-month-long ban on social media but continued with the ban on high-speed mobile internet in Jammu & Kashmir.
An order issued by principal secretary home department Shaleen Kabra did not mention a word about the social media “ban” but only laid out the conditions for social media access.
It said that the internet speed on mobile data service will be restricted to 2G and only post-paid mobile subscribers would have access to mobile internet. Internet would not be available to prepaid subscribers until they are verified as post-paid subscribers are.
Until now, netizens were accessing social media platforms including WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter through VPN to circumvent the ban. This had prompted the government to ask telecom operators to install firewall and prevent access to VPNs and social media.
The fresh order was issued after assessment of the impact of telecom services regulation on the security situation and maintenance of public order and reports of law enforcement agencies.
About fixed-line internet connectivity, the principal secretary said such connectivity would continue to be made available with Mac Binding.
Mac Binding essentially means to enforce a client machine to work from a particular Internet Protocol (IP) address.
“It is further directed that the access/communication facilities provided by the government Viz e-terminals/internet kiosks apart from special arrangements for tourists, students, traders etc shall continue,” Kabra said in the order.
Social media, according to the order, will continue to work on 2G speed till March 17, after which fresh review of the services will be taken into account.
Kabra asked all the Inspectors General of Police in Jammu & Kashmir to ensure communication of these directions to service providers forthwith and to also ensure implementation of the directions with immediate effect.
People in the Valley were excited as soon as they were able to access social media on mobile phones.
“My business is fully dependent on social media. Removing ban on social media will pave the way for me to reach out to my clients. I am a little relieved,” said Haris Wani, an engineer-turned-entrepreneur in Kashmir.
Earlier, only access to white-listed websites was allowed after limited internet access was restored for a week on January 25. Since August 5 last year, in orders extended from time to time, internet access continued to be snapped in the erstwhile state of J&K.
While continuing the ban on social media, authorities had last month said that anti-national elements and people across the border continue to “misuse” networking sites that allow peer-to-peer communication and virtual private networks (VPNs).
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) were asked to ensure access to 1,674 white-listed sites only and not allow access to any social media applications.
The removal of the ban will help BSNL start the process of broadband services, which were not allowed to operate as the company had failed to install suitable firewalls.

Junaid Nabi Bazaz