80% Indians ready to leave Whatsapp due to privacy, Government to launch its own messaging app ‘Sandes’

The Tatva Staff February 10, 2021

Discussion of having a secure social media or network has become the need of the hour. Privacy infringement has increased ten folds in recent times. With Whatsapp’s latest update regarding the decision of sharing data with parent company Facebook has created a huge backslash amongst the people. Due to this, people have started using popular messaging apps like telegram and signal.

Even the Government of India has started using indigenous apps like Sandes for official purposes.

The shift is important as sending sensitive documents through social networking sites may lead to threat to the security.

The creation of this app started in 2020. It was being used for experimental purposes in various ministries. This app is basically a copycat version of whatsapp. Earlier, it was referred to as GIMS ( Government Instant Messaging System).

For the user to access the app, they need to sign in with either LPAD or OTP. They can also access it via desktop. When tapping on the options, a dialogue box appears which says that authentication method is applicable for government officials.

Swadeshi Messaging App Sandesh — _{Screen Shot of Sandes app’s website gims.gov.in}

Sandes is available in Android and iOS and in the official website gims.gov.in.

Not only this, apps like koo which is being hailed as a desi version of Twitter, a microblogging site, is being used by government workers. There exist verified accounts of MyGov, Digital India, India Post, NIC, NIELIT, SAMEER, Common Services Center, UMANG app, Digi Locker, NIXI, STPI, CDAC, and CMET etc. These apps are part of the Make in India, Digital India initiative. It is being run by the National Information Centre which comes under the Ministry Of Electronic and Information Technology.

With an overwhelming response, over 79% of users across the top eight cities of India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Pune are reconsidering using WhatsApp according to the new CyberMedia Research (CMR) study.

While 51% of the respondents are willing to minimize the use of WhatsApp and might move to Telegram, Signal or other chat apps.

Interestingly, 28% were sure that they won’t be continuing with WhatsApp at all after the implementation of its ‘take it or leave it policy’ in May 2021.

It is also the first of many initiatives taken by the government to nullify the anti India bias which is pervasive in these times. These sites have a tendency to push the narrative which can undermine the nation’s sovereignty. This led to questions raised by the government regarding Jack Dorsey, Ceo of Twitter, liking the tweets of pro Khalistani accounts during the ongoing farmer’s protest.