An overview of the 14 apps India just blocked

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An overview of the 14 apps India just blocked

The Indian just government blocked 14 mobile apps because they were allegedly being used by terrorists to spread propaganda. Most of these are messenger apps, but not all. Among the messengers are mostly products that feature end-to-end encryption, but some don't.

crnkovic.dev

The Indian government blocked 14 mobile apps in the territory of Jammu and Kashmir because they were allegedly being used by terrorists to spread propaganda. Most of these apps are messengers, but not all. Among the messengers are mostly products that feature end-to-end encryption, however some don't.

India has blocked these apps using its powers granted by the country's Information Technology Act. Blocking apps isn't new to India – only a few months ago the government used the same legislation to block more than 200 finance and gambling apps.

This time, the blocked apps are:

1. Briar
2. Crypviser
3. Enigma
4. SafeSwiss
5. Wickr Me
6. Mediafire
7. BChat
8. Nandbox
9. Conion
10. IMO
11. Element
12. 2nd Line
13. Zangi
14. Threema

Briar​

TypeMessengerEncryptedYesPeer-to-peerYesAnonymousYesCountry?
Briar is a peer-to-peer encrypted messenger designed to resist surveillance by sophisticated adversaries. It users the Tor network to mask user identities, and can even work offline during internet blackouts – communicating via Bluetooth or WiFi as a fallback.

Famously, Julian Assange endorsed Briar from prison during the 2022 escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War.

Crypviser​

TypeMessengerEncryptedYesPeer-to-peerYesAnonymousYesCountryGermany
Crypviser is a blockchain-based encrypted messenger. Launching with a cryptocurrency ICO, it appears abandoned since 2022. It has a shocking rating of 2.8/5 on the Play Store.

Enigma​

TypeMessengerEncryptedYesPeer-to-peerNoAnonymousNoCountry?
Enigma is an encrypted messenger launched in 2019. It's unclear how the encryption works – the website is slim on details.

SafeSwiss​

TypeMessengerEncryptedYesPeer-to-peerNoAnonymousYesCountrySwitzerland
SafeSwiss is an encrypted messenger.

Wickr Me​

TypeMessengerEncryptedYesPeer-to-peerNoAnonymousNoCountryUSA
Wickr Me is an encrypted messenger. After it was acquired by AWS in 2021, the company began a transition to enterprise-related work, and announced the discontinuation of Wickr Me. New registrations are currently disabled and the app is scheduled to die at the end of the year.

Mediafire​

TypeFile hosting serviceEncryptedNoPeer-to-peerNoAnonymousNoCountryUSA
Mediafire is a file hosting service. It's been around since 2006.

You upload a file to Mediafire – images, videos, etc – and you get back a public link to share with someone else.

BChat​

TypeMessengerEncryptedYesPeer-to-peerYesAnonymousYesCountrySeychelles
BChat is a blockchain-based encrypted messenger. It's linked to a cryptocurrency called 'Beldex'.

Nandbox​

TypeMessengerEncryptedNoPeer-to-peerNoAnonymousNoCountry?
Nandbox Messenger is a cleartext messenger and video chat app.

Conion​

TypeMessengerEncryptedYesPeer-to-peerNoAnonymousYesCountry?
Conion is an encrypted messenger that uses a Tor hidden service to route messages anonymously.

IMO​

TypeMessengerEncryptedNoPeer-to-peerNoAnonymousNoCountrySingapore
IMO (stylised 'imo') is a cleartext messenger and video chat app. It's popular – more than 1 billion downloads from the Play Store.

Element​

TypeMessenger and workspaceEncryptedYesPeer-to-peerYesAnonymousNoCountryUK
Element (formerly called Riot and Vector) is a Matrix-based encrypted messenger and collaboration tool – similar to Slack, but with a privacy angle.

2nd Line​

TypeVoIPEncryptedNoPeer-to-peerNoAnonymousNoCountryCanada
2nd Line is a VoIP app. It lets you call or text using a virtual US or Canadian phone number.

Zangi​

TypeMessengerEncryptedYesPeer-to-peerNoAnonymousYesCountryUSA
Zangi is an encrypted messenger.

Threema​

TypeMessengerEncryptedYesPeer-to-peerNoAnonymousYesCountrySwitzerland
Threema is an encrypted messenger.

 

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Mike Stabile (@mikestabile.bsky.social)

Now they're going after VPNs. *Pay attention* to what's happening in places like Turkey, India, Russia and China — and how tech companies are complying, or not, with state surveillance. As we've seen in the past month, they'll do the same when prompted here.

bsky.app

Spoiler: full text & large images

1/30
Mike Stabile

Now they're going after VPNs.

*Pay attention* to what's happening in places like Turkey, India, Russia and China — and how tech companies are complying, or not, with state surveillance. As we've seen in the past month, they'll do the same when prompted here.

2/30
‪Mike Stabile‬ ‪@mikestabile.bsky.social‬

India is requiring VPNs to track and keep detailed records on those who use their service.

Anonymity online has a target on its back. Age-verification, digital IDs, VPN bans are all ways of closing off the internet and increasing surveillance.

https://www.pcmag.com/news/apple-google-pull-6-vpn-apps-from-app-stores-in-india

3/30
‪BumblingBard42‬ ‪@bumblingbard42.bsky.social‬

Their goal is to control the flow of information, that's it.
Any bit about safety is a lie.
It's about maintaining the status quo in their favor.

4/30
‪immibis.bsky.social‬ ‪@immibis.bsky.social‬

If you pay even more attention you will find networks that will remain unaffected by this.

And for the love of God, never use Apple products! They go far out of their way to stop you loading unapproved apps, so after they deapprove an app you like, you're screwed. Unlike other platforms.

5/30
‪Andy ️dom‬ ‪@andyodom7.bsky.social‬

It’s inevitable. Prepare now.

6/30
‪SafeTinspector‬ ‪@safetinspector.bsky.social‬

To them, $ >= everything

7/30
‪Caitlin Marie‬ ‪@cata-goldieee.bsky.social‬

People are changing what they subscribe to - this is only the beginning. I can foresee this happening with our media/promotion outlets long-term. This has the potential to uproot everything we once relied on common social medias for, leading to older ways of advertising within a new world.

8/30
‪bum1976.bsky.social‬ ‪@bum1976.bsky.social‬

That's some bullshyt man. Internet privacy for life. They got no right to do this.

9/30
‪Grumpy Blue European‬ ‪@klausbusse.de‬

You don‘t think that authoritarians won‘t try to control the internet, do you?

Of course they‘ll try to control the complete narrative.

Orwell wrote it all down long ago.

10/30
‪Saturn Fox‬ ‪@s4turnf0x.bsky.social‬

Include Brazil there, never forget 2024

11/30
‪zaintv.bsky.social‬ ‪@zaintv.bsky.social‬

5G IPTV Service – Best IPTV Subscription Provider Online - IPTV Service

12/30
‪Old Ball Of Rage‬ ‪@oldballofrage.bsky.social‬

The 'do nothing, hope it all goes away' strategy in action.

And in a hundred years the history books will look exactly the same, and the students saying, "Why didn't anyone do anything?" will be exactly the same.

FFS you know Luigi was right.

13/30
‪ryderofchaos.bsky.social‬ ‪@ryderofchaos.bsky.social‬

Well not all of us can afford a 3d printer or know where to find a politician isolated from security guards

14/30
‪nbuwaterpirate.bsky.social‬ ‪@nbuwaterpirate.bsky.social‬

A handgun is cheaper and easier to find than a 3d printer anyway. And you might be surprised how easy it can be to track someone once you've settled on a target

15/30
‪ryderofchaos.bsky.social‬ ‪@ryderofchaos.bsky.social‬

Whatever the cheapest handgun is, it's still very much out of my price range

16/30
‪Elle Love | CHI‬ ‪@ellelove.bsky.social‬

I figured this was next. Everyone says "it's no big deal, just use a VPN", but half the sites I use already auto kick me if I'm on VPN. Not a good sign. Thanks for sharing.

17/30
‪Erhan Hosca‬ ‪@hosca.com‬

NordVPN client’s DNS lookups are blocked in Turkey, workaround is possible using direct IP connections (sans DNS lookups)

18/30
‪Art Vandelay‬ ‪@artsvandelay.bsky.social‬

A few hours ago Zuckerberg said that he was going to work with Trump to push back against countries trying to censor people. But somehow I think they'll be fine with shyt like this.

19/30
‪Dawn‬ ‪@dawnchap.bsky.social‬

THE Art Vandelay??? Lol. I snorted.

20/30
‪moon272.bsky.social‬ ‪@moon272.bsky.social‬

He’s an architect

21/30
‪It Ain't Me.‬ ‪@notimeforbs.bsky.social‬

It feels like there's been a sudden spike in intrusion globally and at every level.

I'm experiencing way more cross platform targeting than I did previously with the same relied on settings & safeguards.
Plus it's much harder to undo or block the source/s.

22/30
‪mmacken.bsky.social‬ ‪@mmacken.bsky.social‬

How am I supposed to view pornhub if they take away the VPNs?

23/30
‪John C. Catsluck‬ ‪@catsluck.bsky.social‬

If your privacy is important it might be time to learn how to run a personal VPN.

(I do not work with, for, or use the products at Linode. This is just a link to one guide of many possible.)

Set Up WireGuard VPN on Ubuntu

24/30
‪GamemodeCat‬ ‪@gamemodecat.bsky.social‬

How would a personal VPN help? If it’s just your traffic going to the VPN, they just need to look at the other “end” of the tunnel to track you.

25/30
‪John C. Catsluck‬ ‪@catsluck.bsky.social‬

A VPN is not a panacea. It's one tool in a tool box. Ideally you'd place your exit node in a region that has strong privacy laws and regulations or using TOR to go through multiple nodes. Depending on your need you should also pay attention to the other layers E.G. using e2e encryption and DOH/DOT.

26/30
‪dirtdevil.bsky.social‬ ‪@dirtdevil.bsky.social‬

What and you think it will happen here?

27/30
‪mchemar.bsky.social‬ ‪@mchemar.bsky.social‬

Trampling on privacy and the right to personal protected space

28/30
‪eli⸆⸉ 🩵‬ ‪@tortupoet.bsky.social‬

fukk that, i’m super close to just not using a smartphone anymore

29/30
‪disinterested_ handjob_xo‬ ‪@disinterestedhj.bsky.social‬

yeah I'm actually looking at some blackberry phones lately. and also looking to see if there are any functional sidekicks available because this is starting to feel extremely uncomfortable

30/30
‪Future Europa - Fella‬ ‪@futureeuropa.bsky.social‬

The thing about VPNs is that they're not just about reaching other countries. VPNs also provide security for companies.
They don't understand that they destroy an unbelievable amount of businesses if they prohibit the usage of VPNs.

To post tweets in this format, more info here: https://www.thecoli.com/threads/tips-and-tricks-for-posting-the-coli-megathread.984734/post-52211196

https://www.pcmag.com/news/apple-google-pull-6-vpn-apps-from-app-stores-in-india

Apple, Google Pull 6 VPN Apps From App Stores in India​

Indian law now requires VPN apps to maintain customers’ names, email addresses, IP addresses, and transaction histories for five years.





By Jibin Joseph

January 3, 2025

(Credit: tommy/Getty Images)

To comply with new regulations in India, Apple and Google have removed six VPN apps from their app stores in the country, TechCrunch reports.

India’s Ministry of Home Affairs ordered the removal, which is linked to a cybersecurity framework the country introduced in 2022. It mandated that VPN apps maintain customers’ names, email addresses, IP addresses, and transaction histories for five years.

Its implementation was delayed after numerous VPN providers objected, but it's now finally being enforced. Apps that don’t comply are being pulled, including Hide.me, PrivadoVPN, and Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1.

In a statement to one of the affected parties, viewed by TechCrunch, Apple mentioned receiving a removal request from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center.

Ahead of the law's initial launch date, popular VPN providers like ExpressVPN, SurfShark, and NordVPN shut down their servers in India. According to TechCrunch, the three services are still available in India, though they don't market their services in the region.

Apple previously removed 400 VPN apps in China in 2017; nearly 100 were removed from Russia’s App Store in 2024 alone.