NEW DELHI: Chinese mobile apps are now taboo for the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the world’s biggest paramilitary force that faces a security threat from spyware and malicious wares, especially from applications developed by Chinese companies. The threat to data security comes even from at least 42 popular apps like Truecaller, Shareit and Newsdog.
“A number of Android/IOS apps by Chinese developers or having Chinese links are either spyware or malicious ware. Use of these apps by our force personnel can be detrimental to data security having implications on the Force and national security,” reads communication of the CRPF to all its formations.
“It is requested that all officers and men under your command may be advised not to use these apps either 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, please.”
Through the advisory dated November 24, the Information Technology Cell of the CRPF Directorate here also directed all its formations to issue comprehensive guidelines on using mobile applications with Chinese origin.The circular also includes a list of 42 mobile applications against which the CRPF has issued the directive. These include Weibo, Wechat, Shareit and Truecaller.