The Union government has blocked 14 messaging apps in Jammu and Kashmir region which were allegedly used by terrorists and their overground workers to stay in touch.
Reports said that the decision was taken after gathering inputs from intelligence agencies. The apps that have been blocked include Crypviser, Enigma, Safeswiss, Wickrme, Mediafire, Briar, BChat, Nandbox, Conion, IMO, Element, Second line, Zangi, Threema among others.
Officials said that these apps were used by terrorists to communicate with their supporters and overground workers in Kashmir.
“Agencies keep track of channels used by over ground workers (OGWs) and militants to communicate among themselves. While tracking down one of the communication, agencies found that the mobile application does not have representatives in India and it is difficult to track down activities happening on the app,” an official told a news agency.
Following this, the Centre, with help from intelligence agencies, prepared the list of apps that do not follow Indian laws and pose a threat to national security.
The list was then forwarded to the concerned Ministry with a request seeking their ban under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000. The intelligence agencies informed that these apps are spreading propaganda in the Valley.