What is “Sandes” platform?

What is the News?

National Informatics Centre(NIC) launched an instant messaging platform called Sandes.

About the Sandes platform:

• It is an instant messaging platform like WhatsApp. It was previously named Government Instant Messaging System(GIMS).
• The platform can be used for all kinds of communications by anyone with a mobile number or email id.
• Initially, the platform was available to only government officers. It is now available for the common public as well.

Why was it launched?

• The platform built by the government to mitigate potential security risks. It allows the government employees to switch from mainstream social media applications to a secured Sandes platform.
• The platform is also a part of the government strategy to push for use of India-made software. Thus, it will develop an ecosystem of indigenously developed products.

Features of the platform:

• The platform has an interface similar to many other apps currently available in the market.
• The chats on the platform can be backed up to a user’s email. However, there is no option to transfer the chat history between two platforms.
• It also offers features such as group making, broadcast message, message forwarding, and emojis.
• It allows a user to mark a message as confidential. It will make the recipient aware that the message should not be shared with others. However, the confidential tag does not change the way the message is sent from one user to another.

Limitations:

• The app does not allow the user to change their email id or registered phone number. The user will have to re-register as a new user in case they wish to change their registered email id or phone number on the app.

Source: Indian Express