In a major crackdown on terrorist activities, the Centre has banned 14 mobile messaging apps that were allegedly used by terror groups, primarily in Jammu and Kashmir, to communicate with their supporters and Over Ground Workers (OGW) as well as receive orders from Pakistan, according to sources.
Crypviser, Enigma, Safeswiss, Wickrme, Mediafire, Briar, BChat, Nandbox, Conion, IMO, Element, Second Line, Zangi, and Threema are among the programmes that have been blocked.
The decision was made on the advice of security and intelligence services. A list of applications that endanger national security and violate Indian laws was compiled, and the relevant government was notified of the need to prohibit them. The apps have been disabled in accordance with Section 69A of the Information Technology Act of 2000.
According to ANI, intelligence services warned higher-ups in official communications that these applications are propagating terror propaganda in the Valley.
“Agencies monitor the channels used by Overground Workers (OGWs) and terrorists to communicate with one another.” While tracking down one of the communications, agencies discovered that the mobile application has no representatives in India, making it difficult to track down activities taking place on the app,” an official told news agency ANI.
