The central government has blocked 14 mobile messenger apps after discovering that terrorist groups in Jammu and Kashmir were using them. Terrorists have reportedly used these mobile messenger apps to spread and receive messages from Pakistan. The step was taken on the advice of defence forces, security, intelligence and investigation agencies.

Multiple agencies have found that terrorists in Kashmir use these apps to communicate with their supporters and ground workers (OGW). Also, these apps are not represented in India. These apps have been blocked under section 69A of the Information Technology Act 2000.

The 14 apps that have been blocked are Crypviser, Enigma, Safeswiss, Wickrme, Mediafire, Briar, BChat, Nandbox, Conion, IMO, Element, Second line, Zangi and Threema.

A report said that most of these apps are designed to provide users with anonymity, adding that their functionality makes it difficult to resolve the associated entities. Ministry of Home Affairs, through various agencies, has found that these mobile applications assist terrorists and their affiliates in carrying out terrorist activities.

“The agency tracked the channels used by overground workers (OGW) and terrorists to communicate with each other. While monitoring one of the communications, the agency found that the mobile app was not represented in India, and it was difficult to track the activities on the app, ANI quoted an official.

Since then, with the help of other intelligence agencies in the valley, a list of such applications that threaten national security and do not comply with Indian laws has been prepared. After preparing the list, the relevant authorities were informed to ban the requests for these mobile applications. The official added that the apps had been blocked under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act 2000. In official communications with superiors, intelligence agencies said the apps spread terrorist propaganda in the Kashmir Valley.

The central government’s crackdown on mobile apps is not new, as the country has taken similar action against hundreds of apps in the past, citing security concerns. Over the past few years, the government has banned around 250 Chinese apps because they “harm India’s sovereignty and integrity, India’s defence, national security and public order”.

These apps include popular apps like TikTok, Shareit, WeChat, Helo, Likee, UC News, Bigo Live, UC Browser, Xender, Camscanner, and popular mobile games like PUBG Mobile and Garena Free Fire.