The Indian company JandK Operations has developed an indigenous mobile operating system in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras.
Titled BharOS, an abbreviation of Bharat OS, it will compete with Google Android and Apple iOS. Touted as a secure system, it does not come with any default apps. This Linux-based OS gives users access to only trusted apps from private store services.
The aim of the OS is to let private enterprises and firms set up customised operating systems as per their needs. Communications Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan together unveiled the OS.
BharOS is a successful step towards data privacy, said education minister Dharmendra Pradhan. “India’s poor people will benefit from this strong, indigenous, and self-reliant digital infrastructure. If this turns successful, it will put an end to the monopoly in the sector,” added the minister.
Interestingly, the launch happened at a time when Google faces a legal battle in India over abuse of dominance and unfair practices with regard to its Android operating system. BharOS is now available to organisations that have strict privacy and security measures. One can install the system on commercial off-the-shelf handsets.
