Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS are the two operating systems used in almost every smartphone and tablet today. But it seems India wants to challenge the two behemoths with its own mobile OS. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras has indigenously developed a new mobile operating system, called BharOS to benefit the country’s 100 crore mobile phone users.

BharOS was announced today, January 19 at a press conference conducted by IIT Madras. Currently, the Indian OS is being provided to organizations that have stringent privacy and security requirements where sensitive information must be handled confidentially. The OS is developed by JandK Operations Private Limited (JandKops), which is a Section 8 (not-for-profit) Company established by IIT Madras.

BharOS

The operating system comes with various security and privacy features. For instance, there are No Default Apps (NDA), which means users are not forced to use any app by default and they can install whatever apps they are familiar with or trust. This approach gives users more control over the permissions that apps have on their device because they can choose to only allow apps that they trust to access certain features or data on their device, stated the Institute.

BharOS also provides individual businesses with access to apps curated by private app store services (PASS). Apparently, PASS allows access to a hand-picked collection of apps that have been verified to be compliant with a business’ privacy and security needs.

Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras said, “BharOS Service is a Mobile Operating System built on a foundation of trust, with a focus on providing users more freedom, control, and flexibility to choose and use only the apps that fit their needs. This innovative system promises to revolutionize the way users think about security and privacy on their mobile devices.”

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