The Intelligence Bureau has warned in its latest advisory that China could be collecting pivotal information from soldiers deployed at international border via its mobile phone application and devices.
As per reports, the advisory floated by DIG (Intelligence) has asked the troops deployed Line of Actual Control(LAC) to either remove the applications form their smart devices or reboot them altogether to protect against cyber intrusion attempts from across the border.
The IB advisory incorporates a list of about 42 Chinese popular applications like UC browser, UC News, WeChat, Truecaller etc. which come as a threat to India's security.
It is also likely that these applications are sending confidential data to Chinese authorities which can come as a major security issue states the advisory.
The new advisory comes when the troops stationed across the both the sides are on high alert, particularly after the Doklam standoff.
Based on inputs garnered from the intelligence authorities , the armed forces has regularly warned officers against using Chinese applications.
The Army as well as the central police forces like Indo Tibetan Border Police are stationed across LAC, spreading across Ladakh to Arunanchal Pradesh.
The advisory read,''As per reliable inputs, a number of Android/IOS apps developed by Chinese developers or having Chinese links are reportedly either spyware or other malicious ware. Use of these apps by our force personnel can be detrimental to data security having implications on the force and national security.''
“Therefore it is requested that all officers and men under your command may be advised to not use these apps in office or on personal mobile phones. If some of them are already using any of these apps then they should be asked to immediately uninstall the app and format their cellphones for strict compliance. You are requested to issue comprehensive guidelines on this matter,'' added the order.
The Indian Air Force earlier asked its officers and airmen along with their family members to stop using Xiaomi smartphones and notebooks which could beam crucial data to Chinese Authorities.
The warning also comes after Indian cybersecurity experts have raised concerns about the cyber intrusions in India by Chinese Hackers and numerous defence intelligence agencies in China.
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