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According to a report by news agency ANI, the Indian government has blocked 14 mobile messenger applications used by terrorist groups. According to media reports, the blocked messaging app was used by terrorists to send and receive messages with Pakistan. In summary, terrorist groups in Jammu and Kashmir were reportedly using the messaging app.
The government has not officially released the names of the blocked apps. However, India-based news outlet NDTV reported that the banned apps include Crypviser, Enigma, Safeswiss, Wickrme, Mediafire, Briar, BChat, Nandbox, Conion, IMO, Element, Second Line, Zangi and Threema. The central government blocked the app under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
“The agencies are tracking the channels used by Overground Workers (OGWs) and terrorists to communicate with each other. While tracing one of the communications, the agencies discovered that the mobile application does not have a representative in India and it is difficult to trace the activities taking place. In the app,” the ANI report said.
According to sources, most of these mobile apps are specifically designed to maintain user anonymity and their built-in features make it difficult to find entities associated with them.
It is reported that this government action was taken after the authorities received this intelligence and shared it with the central government through recent confidential communication. Sources also told the news agency that the Home Ministry worked closely with the IT Ministry and other relevant agencies to block the app when information was shared.
Additionally, this is not the first time that the Indian government has banned or blocked such apps due to security concerns. According to previous reports, around 250 Chinese apps have been banned over the past few years on the grounds that they are detrimental to India’s sovereignty and integrity, Indian defence, national security and public order.