Maj Gen P K Mallick, VSM (Retd)
A podcast on social media about a MoU with a popular cab-hailing service has created a lot of controversy regarding cyber security. This was followed up by another X, formerly Twitter, posted by one of the panellists claiming that he had forwarded his concerns with some photographs to the Prime Minister and Raksha Mantri, and he claims that they had taken immediate action.
Leaving aside some of the cuss words and disrespect to armed forces by panellists who are no cyber security experts, the issue needs to be critically examined.
Armed forces officers and personnel are provided with government transport when they proceed on temporary duty, official engagements, or leave. Only the families would benefit from this MoU by ensuring various facilities like protection from surge rentals, discounts, accountability, honouring time-specific commitment, retrieving valuables inadvertently left behind in Cabs, security, etc.
Even if the MoU is not there, for example, in the Army, people will still use these cab-hailing apps. What is the difference? Knowing the address of military personnel in a well-protected Cantt/Military station is not a big deal. Even if you do not have an MoU, the app can still find the details if they wish by using simple data analytics.
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