In a significant blow to online privacy and security, a court in India has ordered the blocking of Proton Mail, a popular encrypted email service, across the country. The Karnataka High Court's ruling came in response to a legal complaint filed by New Delhi-based M Moser Design Associates, which alleged that its employees received emails containing obscene and vulgar content sent via Proton Mail.

The court's decision, handed down by Justice M Nagaprasanna on Tuesday, directs the Indian government to block Proton Mail under the Information Technology Act 2008. The ruling is the latest in a series of legal tussles faced by Proton Mail in India, which has been accused of refusing to share details about the sender of allegedly offensive emails despite a police complaint.

The controversy began in January when M Moser Design Associates filed a complaint against Proton Mail, calling for its regulation or blocking in India. The firm claimed that the email service had failed to cooperate with authorities in identifying the sender of the obscene emails. Additional Solicitor General Aravind Kamath, representing the Indian government, suggested that criminal courts could seek the required information from Swiss authorities, as Proton Mail is based in Switzerland.

However, the court's ruling has sparked concerns over online freedom and security. Proton Mail has been a popular choice for individuals and organizations seeking secure and private communication. The email service's encryption technology makes it difficult for authorities to access user data, which has led to tensions with law enforcement agencies in the past.

This is not the first time Proton Mail has faced legal challenges in India. Last year, the police department of the southern state of Tamil Nadu sought to block the email service after it was allegedly used to send hoax bomb threats to local schools. Although the Indian government's IT ministry notified internet providers to block Proton Mail, the Swiss federal authorities intervened to prevent the blocking from taking effect.

Proton Mail has consistently argued that blocking its service would not prevent cybercriminals from sending threats using other email services. "Blocking access to Proton Mail simply prevents law-abiding citizens from communicating securely and does not prevent cybercriminals from sending threats with another email service, especially if the perpetrators are located outside of India," the company said in a statement last year.

The implications of the court's ruling are far-reaching, with potential consequences for online freedom and security in India. The blocking of Proton Mail could set a precedent for the regulation of other encrypted communication services, sparking concerns over government surveillance and censorship. As the Indian government moves to implement the court's order, it remains to be seen how this will impact the country's digital landscape.

At the time of writing, Proton Mail's website was still accessible in India, and the company had not commented on the court's ruling. TechCrunch has reached out to Proton Mail for comment and will update this story if we hear back.

The ongoing legal battle between Proton Mail and the Indian authorities highlights the tensions between online security, privacy, and law enforcement. As governments around the world grapple with the challenges of regulating the internet, the fate of Proton Mail in India serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between individual freedom and national security.