After Koo, presented as an alternative to Twitter, the government turns to WhatsApp because it brings Sandes, an instant messaging platform. Sandes is open to all, free and without advertising. The application was developed by NIC (National Center for Informatics), which is part of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
The app is designed to boost the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Now let’s see if this messaging app is better than an established platform called WhatsApp.
When a user downloads the Sandes app, the name appears as GIMS (Government Instant Messaging System). However, the government calls it sandes, which basically means a message in Hindi.
If someone is looking at the application, its interface is very similar to WhatsApp and contains the same functionality in this application. The main difference between Sandes and WhatsApp is that the former offers the ability to log in with an email id instead of just a phone number. Please note that this app is for government officials only at this time. WhatsApp only allows you to create an account with your number.
In addition, accounts have been verified on their platform that are not available on WhatsApp. Sandes allows users to share videos or photos up to 500MB, while WhatsApp has the ability to send videos up to 16MB and normal files up to 100MB.
There is an option in the Sandes app to backup chats even for emails that don’t exist on WhatsApp because you can backup chats on Google Drive on Android or iCloud on iOS.
Also Read: WhatsApp to move ahead with privacy update despite backlash
Meanwhile, the Sandes app does not allow you to change your cell phone number or email id after creating an account, but WhatsApp will help you change phone numbers without deleting your existing profile.
Currently, Sandes does not have the fingerprint lock and screen lock feature that WhatsApp has. However, Sandes offers to check the city’s weather details in the app.
The Sandes app can now be downloaded from the APK link, which is currently not available to everyone. It will soon be available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
