Home ministry warns of malicious app attack on mobile phones

KOLKATA: The home ministry has warned that an application launched by US tech firm Tiger Text, which destroys text and video messages on cellphones, can hinder operations of law enforcement agencies ( LEAs) if deployed by telcos.

So much so, it has asked asked the telecoms department to make it mandatory for all mobile phone companies to secure suitable clearances from LEAs before running the Tiger application on their networks.

"Use of the (Tiger Text) application by Indian telecom service providers can create operational problems for national security agencies. The telecoms department should ask all telcos to proper lawful interception arrangements and secure approvals from the security agencies before availing of the service from Tiger Text," said a telecoms department official familiar with the matter.

But citing an earlier Intelligence Bureau note, the home ministry has pointed out that the Tiger service is compatible with the Apple iPhone, Google Android and the RIM BlackBerry handsets, in an internal note reviewed by ET.