Remember the Kimbho app, which was pegged as Baba Ramdev’s competitor to WhatsApp in India? That app is back in a new avatar and now it’s called Bolo Messenger. The developer, Aditi Kamal has reached out to the media, sharing details about the so-called safe-and-secure messaging app.
Unlike the last time, Bolo Messenger now has a functioning website, which lists out the features and what the app will offer, especially becoming the WhatsApp alternative people might want to try.
Interestingly, the rechristened Bolo Messenger has no mention of Baba Ramdev’s or Patanjali’s affiliation with the product. The company name has also been changed to Bolo Bharat Communication. The app will run on phones with Android 4.1 Ice Cream Sandwich or later.
With the blessings of Param pujiye Swami Ramdevji Maharaj and Acharya Shree, the swadeshi alternative for Whatsapp is available for download on Android.Aditi Kamal, Founder, Bolo Bharat Communication
Other than highlighting features of the revamped Bolo Messenger app, the website has also stated that currently you’ll be only able to download the Android version. The company claims it is working with Apple as well for iPhone users in India.
While WhatsApp is battling the growing trend of fake news spread through its platform and trying innovative ways to prevent it, Bolo Messenger claims to be the beacon India could do with. Well, at least that’s what the company thinks, but other than claiming to be secure and not storing any of your data, very little has been done to prove those credentials as of yet.
As you can see in the image, the Bolo app claims to offer private and secure messaging, group voice and video calls are also supported. Apparently, you can even Doodle on the app.
The company in its About Us section, claims to be a non-profit organisation to revolutionise India’s digital movement. The section names Aditi Kamal as the founder of the company that’s making this app.
If you recall, the Kimbho app had opened a can of worms that drove privacy experts around the bend. A known security researcher, who goes by the alias Elliot Anderson on Twitter, had raised concerns about the messaging app, which is picking up user data and sharing it with anyone who’s got the knowledge to take it apart.
Even now, when you go through the permissions it wants, similar features are getting accessed by the app.
We’ll run through the features, see how it behaves in the coming days and give you an in-depth review of the app. Can it really compete against a global giant like WhatsApp?
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)