Web Desk
After the intensification of cyber attacks and incidents of hacking of data, Pakistan’s information technology ministry has started the development of country’s own messaging app , according to media reports.
The communication app for mobile phones would, initially be used by the Prime minister, cabinet members and those working on sensitive positions.
The new mobile app, according to officials, has been developed like WhatsApp. But its interface will be different , to help avert cyber attacks.
Pakistan’s government had decided to develop its own communication app primarily in view of cybersecurity threats and other concerns raised by global users and masses in Pakistan over WhatsApp new privacy policy.
In January, it had been announced that Pakistan was planning to launch its own WhatsApp-like messaging app, Smart Office, by June 2021 which will include all modern communication features besides announcing to expedite work on finalising Personal Data Protection Bill
Earlier, it emerged after an investigation by 17 media organizations that was published on Sunday that Prime Minister Imran Khan and Indian National Congress leader Rahul Gandhi were selected as potential targets of the Israeli-made Pegasus spyware program by clients of the NSO Group cyberespionage firm.
The Guardian, one of the media outlets, said the investigation suggested “widespread and continuing abuse” of NSO’s hacking software, described as malware that infects smartphones to enable the extraction of messages, photos and emails; record calls; and secretly activate microphones.
The leaked data had numbers once known to have been used by Prime Minister Imran Khan, Kashmiri leaders, Pakistani diplomats, Chinese journalists, Sikh activists and business people known to the subject of police investigation.
