HYDERABAD: The High Court of Andhra Pradesh adjourned the matter of usage of “eWatch” app to 17 February, stating that the app developed bythe SEC can anyway not be used now until the security certificate is obtained, and directed the SEC to reply to the queries raised by the APTS. The PILs in relation to the e-Watch app developed by the SEC was taken up by the High Court on Tuesday. The matter was heard by the 1st court comprising of the Chief Justice and Justice Praveen Kumar.
On behalf of the state government, C. Sumonsubmitted that based on the request made by the SEC to the Andhra Pradesh Technology Services, the APTS has conducted preliminary tests anda report has been sent to the SEC on flaws and the security concerns found in the app. The most glaring security concern was that the Source Code of the Andhra Pradesh Social Welfare Department was used in the development of the e-Watch app of the SEC. It was further submitted by Sumon that the SEC has not produced any document to show that the Social Welfare Department had given its permission to use its source code for developing thee-Watch app of the SEC. Further Information in this regard has been sought from the SEC by the APTS. It was further submitted that if the source code has been used without permission, then there is a possibility of a major cyber security threat to the Social Welfare Department.
It was submitted on behalf of the SEC that it is willing to use the services of the e-Vigil app developed by the Election Commission of India if it is allowed to do so. The counsel for the SEC further submitted that the app developed by the state government e-nigha was not working.
The court enquired as to whether the state government has any objection if the app developed by the state is used by the SEC. Sumon informed the court that he has no instructions on the status of the app developed by the state, but the state will not have any objection if the SEC wants to use the app.