2G mobile internet for accessing 301 whitelisted websites, and mobile phone services, was restored in Jammu and Kashmir on January 26, news agency PTI reported. 2G mobile internet services were restored around 9 pm, while mobile services were restored at 4 pm, the report said. Despite access being restored to these sites on January 24, the services were suspended in the union territory on January 25, due to "security reasons" ahead of Republic Day celebrations in the country, the report said. On January 24, the Jammu and Kashmir Home Department had said that both postpaid and prepaid users in certain districts of Jammu and Kashmir will be able to access whitelisted websites on 2G speeds, starting from January 25. Access to social media platforms, including WhatsApp, remains prohibited in the UT, and telecom service providers will have to verify prepaid SIM users — in line with norms applicable for post paid mobile connections — before allowing them to access the whitelisted websites. This order will be in force till January 31. Before that, on January 18, the union territory’s home department had released a list of 153 websites that could be accessed in parts of Jammu and Kashmir. The January 24 order, added 148 more websites to the whitelist. Mainstream news websites, search engines whitelisted: Access to 59 mainstream news outlets — such as ndtv.com, sroll.in, wire.in — has been allowed in the latest order. Search engines such as google.com, search.yahoo.com, have also been granted permission. Interestingly, google.ca and google.co.uk were also…
