Cyber Crime
India’s War On Terror: Govt Blocks 14 Mobile Apps to Disrupt Terrorist Activities in J&K, Check The Full List
NEW DELHI: In a move aimed at curbing terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian government has blocked 14 mobile messenger applications, including popular apps such as Wickrme, IMO, and Threema.
The decision was taken on the recommendation of various defense forces, security, intelligence, and investigation agencies after it was found that terrorist groups were using these apps to communicate with their supporters and on-ground workers in the region.
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According to sources, most of these apps were designed to provide anonymity to their users, making it difficult for security agencies to trace the entities associated with them. These apps did not have representatives in India, and the app management could not be contacted for seeking information as mandated by Indian laws.
A senior intelligence official said that these apps were found to be spreading terror propaganda and inciting youths in J&K. These apps have been blocked under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
The Indian government has been trying to dent the communication network of terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir for the past few years. The apps that have been blocked have servers in different countries, making them tough to trace, and there is no way to intercept them due to heavy encryption.
A senior government official involved in probing terror-related cases said that these apps were found downloaded on mobile phones recovered from terrorists killed in operations. Investigations have also revealed that these apps were used to amplify the agenda of Pakistan-based terror outfits. A number of on-ground workers arrested had at least one of these apps on their phone.
“Terrorists use anonymous secured chatting or messaging apps to communicate with each other and plan their activities without detection by law enforcement agencies. These apps allow terrorists to communicate with each other without disclosing their identities or locations, and they provide end-to-end encryption to ensure that their messages cannot be intercepted or read by third parties,” said the officer.
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According to a senior official, one of the main ways that terrorists use these apps is to coordinate attacks or plan operations. They can use the apps to communicate with other group members, share information about targets, and discuss logistics for carrying out attacks. This communication can happen in real-time, making it difficult for law enforcement agencies to detect and respond to threats.
It is also found that terrorists also use these apps to recruit new members or spread propaganda. They can use the anonymity provided by the apps to avoid detection and target vulnerable individuals for recruitment or radicalization. They can also use the apps to spread propaganda materials, including videos, images, and messages, to promote their cause and incite violence.
According to media reports, members of the Hizbul Mujahideen and The Resistance Front (TRF) – two Islamabad-backed proxy insurgent groups – were using Nandbox Messenger, a Canadian messaging app and app development platform. The reports also said that insurgents used the app’s messaging features to claim real-world attacks against security services, amplify propaganda material to supporters, announce new recruitments, and share testimonials of slain members.
Anonymous secured chatting or messaging apps can pose significant challenges for law enforcement agencies, as these apps prioritize user privacy and security over the ability of authorities to intercept or access communications.
One of the main challenges that law enforcement agencies face with anonymous secured chatting or messaging apps is the use of end-to-end encryption, which means that only the sender and the recipient of a message can read its contents. This makes it difficult for law enforcement agencies to intercept or access messages, even with a warrant, since the messages are not stored on a central server that can be accessed by authorities.
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Additionally, many anonymous secured chatting or messaging apps do not require users to provide personal information, such as phone numbers or email addresses, which makes it difficult for authorities to identify users or track their movements. This anonymity can be used by criminals or terrorist groups to communicate secretly and plan illegal activities.
Furthermore, these apps often use servers located in different countries, which can make it difficult for law enforcement agencies to trace the origin of the messages or access them for investigation purposes.
List of 14 Apps Banned in J&K by Central Government
As per the source, the GoI has banned a total of 14 apps and they are as follows:
- Crypviser
- Enigma
- Safeswiss
- Wickrme
- Mediafire
- Briar
- BChat
- Nandbox
- Conion
- IMO
- Element
- Second line
- Zangi
- Threema
The Indian government’s decision to block these apps is a significant step towards curbing terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. It is crucial to remain vigilant and take proactive measures to counter terrorist propaganda and activities.
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