Karnataka HC restrains authorities, including the Central Government, from blocking access to Proton Mail in India
Last year, the Karnataka High Court directed the Union Government to take legal steps to block Proton Mail in India due to its anonymous nature being used for illegal actions. At that time, a single-judge bench had passed this order. Justice M Nagaprasanna allowed the petition filed by M Moser Design Associated India Pvt Ltd, seeking a direction to the Union government to take steps necessary to ban the use of Proton Mail in India.
Proton Mail appealed against this blocking order. And it is now revealed that the Karnataka High Court has restrained authorities, including the Central government, from blocking access to Proton Mail in India, till further orders. A Division Bench of Chief Justice Vibhu Bhakru and Justice CM Poonacha passed this restriction order on 16th March.
The Court mentioned that Proton Mail was not disrupting its obligation to comply with all lawful orders passed by the authorities or courts, and therefore, an interim relief was granted to Proton Mail. Proton Mail has also specified that it did not act on a notice sent through registered post because there was no judicial order backing it. However, it submitted that once it received a formal order through Swiss authorities, it complied without delay.
The Division Bench has also issued notice to the Central government, M Moser Design Associates India and other respondents, and has asked them to file their written submissions in the matter. It is directed that the platform should remain accessible while the matter is under consideration.
Via.
