India’s Sandes takes on WhatsApp, citing security and misinformation concerns

India’s Sandes takes on WhatsApp, citing security and misinformation concerns

The Indian government has launched its own messaging app. (Photo by ARUN SANKAR / AFP)



As details of the effects of the Pegasus spyware saga continue to shock the world, countries like India are actively investigating security allegations that have surfaced.


But even before India was alleged to have used the spyware to spy on political leaders and other humanitarian personalities, the subcontinent had already begun implementing stricter rules on the use of technology, especially on social media apps.

In May this year, India implemented new laws governing the use of social media in the country. It saw applications like WhatsApp, Facebook and Google relook their approach for doing business in the country.








Last year, India banned about 50 Chinese-based apps including social media giant TikTok over security concerns. Most of these apps have left the Indian market but some are gradually returning, after incorporating changes requested by the government.


WhatsApp, which was also one of the entry points used by Pegasus to track its victim, has long been a security concern in India. With over 500 million users in India, the government has requested the app-maker to make several changes over the years and now look towards a new approach to solve the problem.


The Indian government has launched its own messaging app. (Photo by Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP)



Last week, the Indian central government launched Sandes, an instant messaging platform that works like WhatsApp. Available on Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store, the app is being touted as India’s answer to a secure messaging platform.


According to reports, the app was
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