Govt blocks 348 apps for collecting, transmitting users info in unauthorised manner

New Delhi, Aug 3 : The Indian government blocked as many as 348 mobile applications for collecting users information and transmitting it in an ‘unauthorised’ manner.

In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday on whether the Government has identified any such app which sent information out of the country, Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar said, “The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has identified 348 mobile applications which were collecting users’ information and transmitting it in an unauthorised manner to servers located outside the country for profiling.’

“Based on the request from Home Ministry, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology blocked those 348 mobile applications since such data transmissions infringes the sovereignty and integrity of India, Defence of India and security of the State,” he said.

In response to another question, the Minister said, “These apps are developed by various countries, including China.”