>Some of the mobile applications that have been blocked include Crypviser, Enigma, Safeswiss, Wickrme, Mediafire, Briar, BChat, Nandbox, Conion, IMO, Element, Second line, Zangi, Threema, and others.<p>> While investigating one of these channels, it was discovered that the app did not have a representative in India, making it challenging to monitor activities on the platform.<p>This is basically an indirect validation that most non listed messaging apps supposedly offering e2e encryption such as Whatsapp or Signal have backdoors with access from any government asking for access.
The Indian government is incredibly hostile to an open and free internet. It's well documented.<p><a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_censorship_in_India" rel="nofollow">https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_censorship_in_India</a><p>Just recently the government has ordered all last mile ISPs in Manipur to turn off the internet for the whole region.<p><a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=manipur%20internet&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b-m" rel="nofollow">https://www.google.com/search?q=manipur%20internet&ie=utf-8&...</a><p>The Kashmir internet shutdown is also very well documented.<p><a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=kashmir%20internet%20shutdown&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b-m" rel="nofollow">https://www.google.com/search?q=kashmir%20internet%20shutdow...</a><p>This is the country that will threaten to imprison you for bringing in a handheld Iridium phone, as a journalist.
Seems to be terrorism related and not isolated to Element:<p><i>The Indian government has blocked 14 messenger mobile apps that were used by terrorists in Pakistan to transmit information to Jammu & Kashmir.</i><p><a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/centre-blocks-14-mobile-apps-used-by-terrorists-in-pakistan-to-send-info-in-jammu-and-kashmir-101682913776616-amp.html" rel="nofollow">https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/centre-blocks-14-m...</a>
When a government goes on banning certain apps/protocols/etc., you know that these didn’t provide what would compromise their users. It also indirectly implies that other apps indeed are either compromised or willing to provide any data, apps like whatsapp, signal, etc., funny part is I did say before -and got downvoted- that any app still uses a phone number as a form of identity/authentication should never be trusted, now you know why.
More info on the other apps that were banned: <a href="https://m.timesofindia.com/india/government-bans-14-messaging-apps-used-by-jk-terrorists/amp_articleshow/99917838.cms" rel="nofollow">https://m.timesofindia.com/india/government-bans-14-messagin...</a><p>Currently, all of these are still available on the app stores.
A rite of passage for Element/Matrix. Apparently it does it's job so well that gov'ts are afraid on one end (India in this case), and adopting it on the other end (the German govt trying to not be spied on by the US).<p>Element/Matrix is growing up. Element/Matrix is making a dent in the universe. Congratulations!
Something that's not clear from OP: What does "banned" imply?<p>I'm assuming at least Google and Apple are demanded to take them off their stores. What are are consequences if they don't?<p>What about users? Would you be in trouble of LE caught you red-handed using a banned app?
They were so busy spreading a political message that they forgot to help the users. Sure, it sucks that Element was banned but they would highlight the fact that affected users can use other Matrix clients.
> The Element app is just one of many apps that give access to the Matrix network. A simple parallel is that banning Element because it gives access to the Matrix network is the equivalent to blocking Google Chrome because it gives people access to the web, or Gmail because it gives people access to email.<p>Outlook would have been a better example than Gmail for email.
Wow, the rest of world should ban everything that comes out of India if they don't have representation/offices in 200+ countries I guess.<p>Did these clowns miss the memo on how the internet works & what sort of business/applications can be made without needing to be physically present anywhere Jesus.....
<a href="https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=35825227" rel="nofollow">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=35825227</a><p>my submission prior to the blogpost.<p>its funny how element wrote the blog and i was unable to access the page 3-7 times during today. the site doesn't work, then it works 10 minutes later.<p>BTW, AMA.
What does their legal department being stationed in the UK mean when the UK passes anti-encryption laws? I hope this isn't a mistake that damages the project.
So the official from Element are indirecting telling users to find a hack in their statement "As much as people in India will be able to trivially circumvent the blocking of the 14 messaging apps ...." ? That won't help their case, just might get a permanent ban from one of the largest countries in the world.
India is hosting G20 event in Kashmir but Pakistan doesn't want it to happen peacefully. There's already a terrorist attack [0] in which 5 army personnel lost their lives. As per intel more attacks are being planned in near future. The ban is related to this as per my reading. Not a perfect solution IMO.<p>0: <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/army-jawans-killed-terror-attack-jammu-kashmir-poonch-2362556-2023-04-20" rel="nofollow">https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/army-jawans-killed-ter...</a>