Title: Betting Apps Pose Threat to National Security and Financial Security, Analysis Finds
By Pierre Herubel
Date: November 07, 2023, 11:49 IST
In recent times, betting apps have become a contentious issue in Indian politics, particularly during the current election season. The name of Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel has been linked to a related scam involving these apps. Central agencies, including the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), have conducted a technical analysis of these apps and made alarming discoveries about their capabilities, which can be used for mass surveillance and erasing user data.
According to a high-ranking official, the latest updates of these apps, available on both Android and iOS, are involved in stealing and transmitting user data to servers located outside of India. These apps are requesting permissions similar to those of Google to record the user’s physical movements and transfer “backup” data to their servers. This analysis highlights the serious implications of these upgrades in light of national security and the current tense border situation.
Furthermore, the analysis reveals that without granting all the requested permissions on a user’s mobile phone, the app cannot be used. These permissions allow betting app companies to erase data, access the camera and record videos, and track the user’s movements.
Another concerning finding is that any misuse of the app’s server-side security could potentially turn these applications into tools for espionage. The apps have access to critical data, and remote access to such data could be exploited for mass surveillance. Adversaries such as Pakistan or China could use these apps for propaganda purposes, affecting public order, state security, and the country’s sovereignty and integrity. Moreover, it is suspected that the revenue generated these apps is being siphoned off from India through illicit means such as Hawala, cryptocurrencies, or other black market transactions, posing a threat to India’s financial security.
This situation poses not only a risk to the sharing of sensitive financial and personal information of Indian citizens, but also for surveillance, money laundering, tax evasion, and potential use of the funds for illegal and anti-national activities.
The Intelligence Bureau (IB), RAW, and other agencies have shared their findings with the Ministry of Home Affairs, prompting a detailed technical analysis of these apps.
In recent months, a proposal to block 138 online gaming, gambling, and betting mobile apps has been sent to the relevant departments.
About the Author:
Ankur Sharma, a seasoned journalist with over 13 years of experience, specializes in covering internal security, the Ministry of Home Affairs, paramilitary forces, and investigations. To read more of his work, visit [link to author’s page].
(Note: The article has been written Pierre Herubel and is not a direct copy of the original source.)