Maha govt app data being transferred to private trust: Chavan

Data collected through an app of the Maharashtra government's information and public relations department is being transferred to a private trust, former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan has alleged.

The app is being headed by the Directorate General of Information and Public Relations (DGIPR) which disseminates information to print and electronic media about government policies.

The trust, called Anulom, was started by oneAtul Vazewith the "blessings" of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Chavan claimed in the Legislative Assembly here today.

Chavan's allegation came on a day the Election Commission of India said it will look into allegations of harnessing user data through mobile apps of political parties and personalities.

Recently, Fadnavis felicitated active social media users called Mahamitras, who were chosen based on their activities on social media, their followers on Twitter, friends on Facebook, likes and contacts etc.

"These Mahamitras are being used to win over people's minds and their votes. All data collected goes to a private trust called 'Anulom', which was founded by Atul Vaze with the blessings of the chief minister," Chavan said.

An app launched with government funds sends data to a private trust, which is a supporter of Fadnavis, the Congress leader said, and sought to know if the BJP-led government had signed any MoU with the trust.

"What is being done is sociological micro targeting and weaponisation of data," Chavan said. "Data is being collected without consent of the user. This amounts to violation of privacy."

Assembly Speaker Haribhau Bagde asked the government to check if government funds are used for data collection.

Chavan later told reporters outside the House that the server of Anulom was based in Germany.

"Data of anyone who clicks on 'Mahamitra' appgoes to the Anulom trust. Details of which social media app the users use, photos and phone record details go to this trust. This is just like how the NaMo app is used for political purpose," Chavan said.

There has been no response so far from the Chief Minister's Office to Chavan's claims.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)