Govt to develop its own version of WhatsApp for official communication

Any formal communication must take place over secure and indigenously developed networks

To protect India against increasing vulnerabilities from geopolitical tensions, the government is planning to develop and use a messaging application similar to WhatsApp and various homegrown and secure communication networks. The government has become ever more concerned after the way technology giants like Google and Qualcomm are severing relations with Huawei following sanctions by the US.

There is pressure on India also to bar Huawei from 5G, but New Delhi is yet to take a decision. 

Primarily, these measures are being considered for government agencies, the Economic Times reported citing senior officials. According to a government official, any formal