NEW DELHI: Restrictions on Telegram triggered the biggest surge in VPN downloads in the country this year, as users sought ways to retain access to the messaging platform and shifted to alternative apps, according to data shared by App Figures, an app intelligence firm.After the Centre imposed the temporary ban on June 16, downloads of the top 100 VPN apps in India reached 919,000 on June 17, up 76% from the June 9-15 average and 63% higher than the broader June 1-15 baseline. Downloads had already climbed to 645,000 on June 16, making June 17 the strongest day for VPN apps in India since at least the beginning of 2025.VPNs, or virtual private networks, encrypt internet traffic and route it through servers in other locations, allowing users to mask their IP addresses and bypass certain network restrictions. They are commonly used for privacy and security, but spikes in downloads often occur when access to websites or apps is disrupted, as users look for ways to continue using affected services.The spike came after govt imposed restrictions on Telegram over concerns around exam-related fraud content on the instant messaging app.Proton VPN was among the biggest gainers, with downloads surging 157% from a recent average of around 60,500 a day to 1,55,430 on June 17. Turbo VPN nearly doubled to 1,22,030 downloads, while Ninja VPN recorded a 669% jump and ExpressVPN rose 345%, as per the App Figures data.The rush also reshaped app store rankings. Proton VPN climbed from eighth place in Google Play’s Tools category on June 17 to the top spot by June 19, while Turbo VPN rose from eleventh to second.Users also flocked to alternative messaging services. Telegram Messenger downloads plunged from a recent daily average of 1,25,048 to just 38 on June 17, reflecting the impact of the restrictions.At the same time, Telegram X, an alternative Telegram client, saw downloads soar 6,509% to 3,50,764, while Telegram-linked messaging app iMe jumped 22,018% to 1,70,372. Signal, which markets itself as a privacy-focused messaging app, recorded a 571% increase to 32,106 downloads.The data suggests users responded to the restrictions in two ways: by turning to VPNs to maintain access to Telegram and by experimenting with alternative or Telegram-adjacent messaging services. Big-name rivals such as WhatsApp saw only limited gains, likely because of their already extensive user bases.