The Indian government has banned 14 mobile apps for allegedly being used to spread terror and propaganda in the Jammu and Kashmir union territory.
The following apps were banned under Section 69A of India’s IT Act:
- Crypviser
- Enigma
- Safeswiss
- Wickrme
- Mediafire
- Briar
- BChat
- Nandbox
- Conion
- IMO
- Element
- Second line
- Zangi
- Threema
A government spokesperson said that the apps were banned after intelligence agencies found that they were being used by terrorists and their supporters to communicate with each other and spread propaganda. The spokesperson added that the apps did not have representatives in India, making it difficult to track their activities.
The ban is likely to have a significant impact on the use of these apps in Jammu and Kashmir. However, it is important to note that the ban does not prevent users who have already downloaded the apps from continuing to use them. It is also possible that the apps could be made available through unofficial channels.
Furthermore, the government’s decision to ban these apps is a welcome step in the fight against terrorism. However, it is important to note that this is just one part of the solution. Additionally, The government also needs to address the root causes of terrorism, such as poverty, unemployment, and discrimination.
