BharOS Software - The Hindu - 25/01/23

Context:
Recently, an IIT Madras-incubated company has developed the BharOS.
Relevance:
GS3
About:
- It is an indigenous mobile operating system (OS), like Android or iOS. It is focused on privacy and security. BharOS is a contribution towards the idea of a self-reliant India or ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ by creating a secure OS environment for India-based users.
- BharOS Services are currently being provided to organisations that have stringent privacy and security requirements and whose users handle sensitive information that requires confidential communications on restricted apps on mobiles. Such users require access to private cloud services through private 5G networks.

->Features:
a. Native Over the Air: BharOS would offer Native Over the Air (NOTA) updates, meaning that security updates and bug fixes will be automatically installed rather than users having to check for updates and implementing them on their own.
b. No Default Apps: No Default Apps (NDA) setting, means that users do not have to keep or use pre-installed apps in this mobile operating system.
c. Private App Store Services: It will use a system known as Private App Store Services (PASS), which will examine and curate the apps that are safe for the users.

->Significance:
-The project aims to reduce the dependence on foreign OS in smartphones and promote the use of locally developed technology. It is a huge leap forward to create an indigenous ecosystem and a self-reliant future. It aspires to put India on par with those few countries that currently possess such capabilities.

->How BharOS is Different from Google Android?
BharOS is based on Android Open-Source Project (AOSP) and is somewhat similar to Google Android. However, it does not come preloaded with Google services like in regular Google Android phones. So BharOS users are free to download only those apps that they like or prefer rather than being forced.

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