NDTV’s Report As per reports, the central government has banned 14 messenger apps, including Crypviser, Enigma, Safeswiss, Wickrme, Mediafire, Briar, BChat, Nandbox, Conion, IMO, Element, Second Line, Zangi, and Threema. These apps were allegedly being used by terrorist groups in Jammu and Kashmir to communicate and receive instructions from Pakistan.
Reports suggest that the action has been taken on the recommendation of security and intelligence agencies. A list of apps that pose a threat to national security and do not comply with Indian laws was prepared and the concerned ministry was requested to ban them, after which they were finally banned. According to the report, an official has informed that these apps have been blocked under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
The report cites ANI as saying that in an official communication to higher authorities, the intelligence agencies informed that these 14 apps are spreading terror propaganda in the Valley.
An official told the news agency, “The agencies keep a tab on the channels used by Overground Workers (OGWs) and terrorists to communicate with each other. While tracking a communication, the agencies found that the mobile application was being used by the terrorists.” There is no representative in India and it is difficult to track the activities on the apps.”
Apart from this, let us tell you that in a big campaign against loan and lending apps in February, the central government had ordered to ban 138 betting and 94 lending apps related to China. This action was taken by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. These apps were accused of having personal data of the citizens of the country. Many complaints of illegal extortion and harassment of people were also received against them.