NIC launches Sandes

Published: 22nd Feb, 2021

In a bid to provide a secure way for people to communicate, the National Informatics Centre (NIC) has launched Sandes.

Context

In a bid to provide a secure way for people to communicate, the National Informatics Centre (NIC) has launched Sandes.

About

What is Sandes app?

Sandes is a messaging app prepared by the central government. It claims to be a secure app where the users' data will be kept safe.
The app has been developed by NIC (National Informatics Center), which is part of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
Sandes has an interface similar to many other apps currently available in the market. It has an additional safety feature which allows a user to mark a message as confidential.
The chats on this instant messaging systems or GIMS can be backed up to a users' email.

Government Instant Messaging System (GIMS)

GIMS, like other instant messaging apps uses a valid mobile number or email id to register the user for the first time.
It allows a user to mark a message as confidential, which the app's description says, will allow the recipient to be made aware the message should not be shared with others.
The confidential tag, however, does not change the way the message is sent from one user to another.
The app does not allow the user to change their email id or registered phone number.

This will make the recipient aware the message should not be shared with others.

Is it an alternative to ‘Whatsapp’?

'Sandes' is said to be in lines with the popular instant messaging platform WhatsApp.
Only a day ago, the Supreme Court issued a notice to Facebook and WhatsApp over the company updated privacy policy that it has postponed for the next three months.

Government also launched India's version of the 'Koo' App in response to social media platform Twitter.

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