In a significant move, the Karnataka High Court has directed the Indian government to block access to Proton Mail, a Swiss-based encrypted email service, across the country. The ruling was issued on April 29, 2025, following serious allegations involving the use of the platform to send offensive content generated using artificial intelligence (AI).
What Led to the Court’s Decision?
The court order comes in response to a legal complaint filed by M Moser Design Associated India Pvt Ltd earlier in January 2025. According to court documents, the company claimed that its employees had received several disturbing emails. These messages allegedly contained abusive and obscene language, vulgar content, and AI-generated deepfake images that were sexually explicit in nature.
Deepfakes, which are synthetic media created using AI to impersonate real people, have become an increasing concern globally. Their use in cyber harassment and digital crimes is on the rise, and this case appears to be one of the latest examples of such misuse.
Court Invokes Indian IT Laws to Block the Service
Justice M Nagaprasanna, presiding over the case, instructed the Indian government to take immediate action under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000. This section gives the government authority to block public access to any online content or service that threatens national security, public order, or decency.
The court specifically referenced Rule 10 of the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking for Access of Information by Public) Rules, 2009. Based on this, the government has been asked to begin proceedings to block Proton Mail and temporarily disable access to specific URLs involved in the complaint.
“Until the proceedings are initiated and concluded by the Government of India, the offending URLs must be blocked immediately,” the court stated in its official ruling.
Proton Mail Still Accessible in India
Despite the court’s ruling, Proton Mail remained accessible in India as of the last update. Cybersecurity publication The Hacker News reported that it had reached out to Proton Mail’s parent company for a statement, but no response had been received yet.
Previous Threats of a Ban in India
This isn’t the first time Proton Mail has come under scrutiny in India. In early 2024, reports emerged that hoax bomb threats were allegedly sent using Proton Mail. At the time, the company reiterated its strict compliance with Swiss privacy laws and condemned any misuse of its platform.
Proton Mail stated, “We are firmly against the use of our services for activities that violate Swiss law. Any user who misuses our platform will be subject to Swiss legal action, which may involve cooperation with international law enforcement agencies.”
The company also highlighted that while Proton Mail offers end-to-end encryption to protect user data—including emails, files, calendar entries, and passwords—this privacy does not extend to criminal behavior.
Swiss Law & Global Access to Proton Mail
Proton Mail is based in Switzerland, a country known for its strong privacy and data protection laws. This means the company cannot share user data with foreign governments, including India, unless there is a formal legal request processed through Swiss authorities.
However, Proton Mail is obligated to follow orders from Swiss courts and law enforcement. In serious cases, Swiss authorities may collaborate with their international counterparts to investigate criminal activity.
This jurisdictional difference often creates challenges in prosecuting online crimes, especially when anonymous platforms are used for malicious purposes.
Privacy vs. Misuse: The Global Debate
This case reignites the ongoing debate over privacy versus security. Encrypted communication tools like Proton Mail are designed to protect users from surveillance and data breaches. However, the same technologies can be exploited by bad actors to engage in illegal activities without detection.
Governments around the world are increasingly calling for more accountability from tech platforms, especially those offering encrypted services. The challenge is to strike a balance between user privacy and national security.
Cybersecurity experts argue that banning platforms entirely may not be the most effective solution. Instead, there should be stronger international cooperation, legal frameworks, and technology safeguards to address abuse while preserving digital rights.
What’s Next?
The Indian government is now required to begin formal procedures to investigate and potentially block Proton Mail, as per the court’s instructions. Whether a nationwide ban will be enforced remains uncertain, especially given the legal and technical complexities involved.
Meanwhile, the case has put Proton Mail under the spotlight again, raising questions about how encrypted services can prevent misuse without compromising their core promise of privacy.
As deepfake technologies and AI-generated content continue to evolve, governments and tech providers alike will need to adapt quickly to stay ahead of new cyber threats.
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