Made in India cell phones, devices 'declared threat' to Pakistan's cybersecurity

• There's risk of stealing Pakistani consumers' data, say sources.
• Sources say Indian products can lead to targeted cyber activities.
• Letter recommends using end-to-end encrypted services.

ISLAMABAD: The electronic devices and mobile phones including iPhones made in India have been declared a grave threat for users in Pakistan as well as the country’s cybersecurity, The News reported.

A letter has been dispatched by the Cabinet Division cautioning the federal ministries, divisions and chief secretaries of all provinces about this. 

The government sources warned of increased cybersecurity risks stemming from Indian interference in Pakistan's critical information systems owing to geopolitical tensions with India. 

This includes concerns over data monitoring and the potential for data theft through deceptive online platforms and access points resembling legitimate services like Apple-style portals.

The sources said there was a risk of stealing Pakistani consumers' data through the products and devices made in India, which also pose a security risk to Pakistan, in addition to malware viruses. 

There was also a risk of the presence of viruses along with hardware or software in the manufacture of products, possible tampering and the risk of presence of malware or spyware viruses, they said.

According to sources, Indian products can lead to targeted cyber activities through data interception. Hackers can impersonate Apple support agents or service centres in India, and access portals and websites through fake emails or messages. 

The letter recommends purchasing Apple products in Pakistan from certified resellers, checking the seals of the devices at the time of purchase, and keeping Apple devices updated through the iPhone operating system.

The letter recommends using end-to-end encrypted services for communication, strong passwords, and antivirus applications, as well as getting updates from Apple’s official channels.