Hello Everyone, I wish all of you are safe during this pandemic, post un-lockdown.
India is the second highest country of Internet users across the world with millions of users. Along with Internet, mobile usage has also been increased drastically in the recent past which has amplified the use of various mobile Apps as well. Indian Netizens spend more time on Internet via Mobile phones apart from other computer devices for accessing various Apps/ programs, games, etc. However, lot of privacy and security concerns have also been reported in the recent past with these apps, which includes transmission of data going via international routes without any authorization.
As we all know that Govt. has banned 59 Chinese Apps including Tik-Tok in the recent past, MeitY, Govt. of India, in the second phase, has now banned 118 more Apps which have prejudiced the sovereignty and Integrity of India, as whole, which are linked with China somehow, including top gaming App PUBG, Baidu, WeChat, etc. The MeitY (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Govt. of India has invoked it’s power under section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 read with relevant provisions of the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking of Access of Information by Public) Rules, 2009.
The Govt. has banned another 118 new Apps due to emergent nature of threats and to counter these threats posed by such apps to the country’s “sovereignty and security. The Govt. has considered various aspects and complaints about misuse of mobile apps engaged in stealing and transmitting its user’s data in an unauthorized manner to the servers which are located outside the India, which is primary security concern towards the country’s national security. This ban would safeguard the interest of millions of netizens who use the Internet and Mobile phones and whose information was getting compromised with other countries in clandestine manner. This decision is a targeted move to safeguard the security and sovereignty of Indian Cyberspace, which would be beneficial to the privacy of its citizens in longer run.
There are still many Apps, on which the researchers/ auditors are working upon and we may hear it soon from the Govt. for banning more Apps. Google has removed these apps from Play Store, as per the direction of Home Ministry and MeitY and these Apps are removed from iOS platform as well.
Now it is even more challenging for the users which App is to be used and which not, as the Apps which have been banned by the Govt. were used by millions of users and most of them were absolutely unaware whether their data is getting routed through other country’s servers. So it is advisable that Mobile users should be little wary in future before downloading the Apps and check the authenticity and origin of the Apps before downloading it. Verification is also required before you download any App from now on and only download the authenticated Apps from Google Play Store or App Store.
It is a true fact that Internet and Mobiles are very important part of our lives and we cannot think of living our lives without them. However, being users it is our responsibility to check the authenticity and importance of each App before we download it and keep checking it’s performance from security viewpoint. If we are the users of technology, we should be vigilant enough to protect our data/information from Cyber Security perspective as well, before we lost our important data or become victims of any Cyber Crime.
To consult or to take any legal advice, you may email me personally at advmukulgirdhar@gmail.com or call +91-9811572430.
Download legitimate Apps from verified sources and be Cyber Secure….