India Blocks 14 Mobile Apps Used By Terrorists To Receive Texts From Pakistan
The Central Government has blocked 14 mobile messenger applications after it found that the apps were being used by terror groups in Jammu and Kashmir. It is reported that terrorists used these mobile messenger apps to spread the message and receive messages from Pakistan. The step was taken on the recommendation of defence forces, security, intelligence and investigation agencies.
Multiple agencies found that these apps were being used by terrorists in Kashmir to communicate with their supporters and on-ground workers (OGW). Further, these apps did not have representatives in India. These apps have been blocked under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000. Here is the list of blocked Apps.
- Crypviser
- Enigma
- Safeswiss
- Wickrme
- Mediafire
- Briar
- BChat
- Nandbox
- Conion
- IMO
- Element
- Second line
- Zangi
- Threema
Most of these apps were designed to provide anonymity to the users, a report said, adding that their features made it tough to resolve entities associated with them. Through different agencies, the Ministry of home affairs had found that these mobile apps aided terrorists and their affiliates to engage in terror activities.
“Agencies keep track of channels used by Overground workers (OGWs) and terrorists to communicate among themselves. While tracking down one of the communication, agencies found that the mobile application does not have representatives in India and it is difficult to track down activities happening on the app,” ANI quoted an official.
Thereafter, with the help of other intelligence agencies operating in the valley, a list of such apps was prepared that pose a threat to national security and do not follow Indian laws. After getting the list prepared, the concerned Ministry was informed of the request to ban these mobile applications. These apps have been blocked under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, the official added. In official communications to higher-ups, the intelligence agencies informed that these apps are spreading terror propaganda in the Valley.
The Central government’s crackdown on mobile applications is not new as the country has taken similar actions against hundreds of apps in past, citing security concerns. In the last few years, the government has imposed a ban on around 250 Chinese apps citing them to be “prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of the state and public order”.
These apps include popular applications like TikTok, Shareit, WeChat, Helo, Likee, UC News, Bigo Live, UC Browser, Xender, Camscanner, and popular mobile games like PUBG Mobile and Garena Free Fire.
