I&B Ministry bans Alexa, Siri, Google Home in its offices

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has banned digital assistant devices like Alexa, Siri and Google Home among others citing security concerns.

“Digital Assistant devices like Amazon's Echo, Apple's HomePod, Google Home, etc. may not be kept in the office. Further, Digital Assistants (such as Alexa, Siri, etc.) should be turned off in the smartphones/watches used by the employee. Smartphones may be deposited outside the meeting room during the discussion on classified issues,” the ministry said in an order sent on Wednesday.

The ministry said that it has been observed that a large number of Government officials are using private messaging platforms like Whatsapp, Telegram etc. for communication of classified information. Such practice is a clear violation of information security instruction in the manual of Departmental Security Instructions (MoDSI) and National Information Security Policy Guidelines (NISPG).

In order to curtail the leakage of classified information and misuse of such platforms, the ministry has asked not to share the top secret and secret documents over the internet. “Such information shall be shared only in a closed network with leased line connectivity where SAG grade encryption mechanism is deployed,” the ministry said.

Additionally, the ministry has recommended using Government Email (NIC email) facility or Govemment Instant Messaging Platforms (such as CDAC's Samvad, NIC's Sandesh, etc.) for the communication of Confidential and Restricted information.

“However, utmost care should be taken during the classification of information and before the communication of the same over the internet. The information which may deserve a Top Secret/Secret classification shall not be downgraded to Confidential/Restricted for the purpose of sharing the information over the internet,” the ministry said.

The ministry also ordered that the top secret/secret information shall not be shared in the 'work from home' environment.

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