Islamabad: The government has begun preparations to launch a new messaging app, Beep, as an alternative to WhatsApp.
A briefing on the Beep app was provided during a meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information Technology, chaired by MNA Syed Aminul Haque.
Chairman Syed Aminul Haque stated that the Beep app, developed two years ago, was designed as a replacement for WhatsApp.
Initially, it was intended for use by government employees. He directed the Ministry of IT and NITB to launch the Beep app within three months.
The CEO of the National IT Board mentioned that using WhatsApp for official communication is risky, and the Beep app will facilitate official communications. The Beep app has also been praised by Indian media.
The Additional Secretary of IT noted that government officials do not use the designated government email addresses, and that officials and employees are required to keep certain information private. Only information that is the public’s right is made public.
Committee member Ahmad Atiq suggested that government officials should be mandated to use official channels for communication and that they should declare their personal email and social media accounts.