25-02-2021 | 16:27 PM
Sandes: an instant messaging platform
Context
On the lines of WhatsApp, the National Informatics Centre (NIC) has launched an instant messaging platform/app called Sandes.
Key Highlights
The need to launch the app was felt to ensure a secure communication between the employees because the “Work from Home” culture has gained momentum in the backdrop of nationwide lockdown that was imposed in March 2020 amid the spread of Covid-19.
NIC released the first version of the app in August 2020.
This app was initially launched for Android users and mainly for government officers. Later, the service was also extended to iOS users and now it is available for the common public as well.
The instant messaging app, known as Sandes, has an interface similar to many other apps currently available in the market. Although there is no option to transfer the chat history between two platforms, the chats on government instant messaging systems or GIMS can be backed up to a users’ email.
GIMS, like other instant messaging apps in the market, uses a valid mobile number or email id to register the user for the first time.
Sandes also offers features such as group making, broadcast message, message forwarding and emojis.
An additional safety feature which allows a user to mark a message as confidential, which will allow the recipient to be made aware 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.
The app does not allow the user to change their email id or registered phone number. User will have to re-register as a new user if they wish to change their registered email id or phone number on the app.
This app is a part of the government strategy to push the use of India-made software and it will help in building an ecosystem of indigenously developed software and products.
