Jammu and Kashmir Police registers case against several people for using VPNs to circumvent social media ban

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Monday registered a case against various people for defying government orders on use of social media.The Union Territory's administration on 14 January  had issued an order banning all social media sites to curb their misuse by miscreants for propagating false information and rumours.[caption id="attachment_7165771" align="alignleft" width="380"] Representational image. AP[/caption]"Taking serious note of misuse of social media, the cyber police station in Kashmir has registered a case against various social media users who defied government orders and misused social media platforms," a police spokesman said. "There have been continuous reports of misuse of social media sites by miscreants to propagate secessionist ideology and to promote unlawful activities," he said.Social media is their "favourite tool" as it largely provides anonymity to the user and also gives wide reach, the spokesman said.  The FIR has been registered after taking cognisance of social media posts by miscreants through different virtual private networks (VPNs), he saidMiscreants are propagating rumours with regard to the current security scenario of the Kashmir Valley, the spokesman said. He said these posts are "propagating secessionist ideology and glorifying terror acts and terrorists". Incriminating material has also been seized in this regard, spokesman said.This is the first FIR registered in the Cyber Police Station (Kashmir Zone) in Srinagar since it came into existence through a notification of the government.