Pakistan is Launched its Own Communication App ‘Beep’ for Security and Privacy

• If we talk about the app called ‘Beep‘, Pakistani authorities say that it has been made locally.
• This app is being officially launched at a time when access to social media platforms is too limited in Pakistan.
• Various areas including Balochistan are facing too much difficulties in accessing the internet every day.
• ‘Beep’ will ensure uninterrupted communication between authorities CEO National Information Technology Board.

Pakistani Applications Engineers have developed an official messaging application for secure and friendly communications between officials. Officials say that the application being developed has also been tested successfully.

This application has been developed at a time when there are too much common complaints of daily internet and mobile phone networks being shut down in Pakistan to limit the use of social media and prevent dissent.

Pakistani authorities say that this chat application called ‘Beep’ has been developed locally.

According to the international news agency ‘Associated Press‘, Chief Executive Officer of Pakistan’s National Information Technology Board (NITB) Babar Majeed says that if the government approves, this messaging platform can be available to millions of citizens.

Babar Majeed said that ‘Beep’ was successfully trailed from 2023 and now it is ready for regular launch.

while ‘Beep’ is being launched in Pakistan, social media platform ‘X’ has been difficult to access since the general elections in the country in February this year.

Even on the election day of February 8, 2024, the mobile service was suspended in the entire country, while allegations of rigging in the election also surfaced.

Officials had said the suspension of mobile phone service was necessary for privacy and security reasons. But critics, including Pakistan’s jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, say cutting ties was intended to allow rigging. The government of Pakistan denies the allegation.

Similarly, Internet restrictions are often imposed in Balochistan province of Pakistan and other places across the country. Apart from this, mobile phone service is suspended every year on the occasion of Ashura in Muharram.

According to research by SurfShark, a Netherlands based company, Pakistan imposed five separate restrictions on the Internet during and after the elections.

The company tracks virtual private network (VPN) services and data leak detection, as well as cases of government imposed restrictions on the internet and social media.

The company says that such steps taken by the government official harm democracy and make it impossible to hold fair elections.

It should be noted that the Pakistani official authorities have been denying the allegations of rigging in the elections, saying that there is freedom of expression in the country.

Mobile Phone and internet suspensions in Pakistan have also affected communications between authorities official and security forces.

However, regarding the newly developed app ‘Beep‘, Babar Majeed says that it will ensure uninterrupted communication between officials.

According to the Babar Majeed the application is designed for sharing text, documents, audio, videos and conference calls.

Internet connection is required to use this application. But Babar Majeed did not elaborate on the measures that would limit the availability of the internet to officials only.

They say Beep is more friendly, fast and secure than other messaging apps.

The information taken from the international news organization ‘Associated Press‘.