After social media, the latest cause of worry for the security establishment are the apps being used by the security forces personnel. The latest is a list of more than two dozen apps identified by the intelligence agencies that may carry spyware or malware and have potential national security risks if used by defence forces personnel.
The defence forces are being asked to sensitise their officers and men not to download certain Android/ IOS apps developed by Chinese developers or having Chinese links that are suspected to contain spyware or other malicious malware.
The advisory issued by the intelligence agencies has warned that the use of such apps can not only be detrimental to the national security but could possibly jeopardise “data security “ of the forces. The officers have been asked to sensitise their men in turn not to use these apps and if some of them are already using them, they should delete such apps. A strict compliance of the advisory must be ensured, says the advisory.
The agencies have made a long list of 42 apps they want deleted. The list includes Wechat, Weibo, UC News, UC Browser, Parallel Space, Perfect Corp, 360 Security, Clean Master, DU Browser, SelfieCity and Mail Master among others.
Truecaller was also included in the list but the company has strongly rebutted saying it is not a Chinese app and would look into allegations of possibility of its misuse.
“In response to certain reports, we would like to clarify that we are a Sweden based company. We are not sure why the app is on this list, but we’re investigating. Truecaller is not a malware, and all our features are permission based and are disabled by default,” said the company in a statement.
It is not the first time the agencies have warned their forces against using apps.
Last year, the home ministry had alerted the central forces and other government bodies against Pakistani agencies sending malware through mobile apps.
These apps included Top Gun ( gaming app), Mpjunkie( music app), Talking Frog (entertainment ) and Bdjunkie (video app). The threat was so big that the ministry had issued a general advisory for the public to delete such apps.
The government officials said earlier it was social networking sites that were posing a problem for its security agencies and armed forces’ personnel were being asked not to post or share their sensitive pictures on duty, weaponry and other sensitive data on social media—either on official or personal accounts.
However, as the digital world has grown manifold in recent times and with all defence forces personnel carrying smartphone with them in remote postings and in hinterland, the temptation to download music or videos or playing games on apps needs to be controlled to ensure that sensitive details are not revealed.
