One of the pledges of the government was to create the Suung-joen app, a messaging app similar to WeChat and WhatsApp. This was to address the digital divide in the country. In order to allow everyone to access online services and local content for free, the Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa pledged to develop the app along with free WiFi. However, according to Minister for Industry, Commerce and Employment, Karma Dorji, while initial preparations were done to develop the app, it could not be created mainly due to a lack of expertise in the country.
As per the DNT manifesto, the Sunng-joen app was to allow people to communicate for free.
It was meant to be an entirely local app that would have similar functions to WeChat and WhatsApp.
“The main reason for wanting to create the Suung-joen app was to secure the data within the country. Since apps like WeChat and WhatsApp are international apps, the data exchanged is on an international scale and it is not convenient to share secret talks for security reasons. It is viable to develop the app, however, we could not develop it due to a lack of expertise. Secondly, the security system of WeChat and WhatsApp were enhanced, hence we decided not to develop the app,” said Karma Dorji, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Employment.
Further, the minister added that the government’s promise of free Wi-Fi was not made available throughout the country as the two telecom companies would be affected by this decision.
“Not only on WhatsApp and Suung-jeon, but we have more things to do. From here on we have to integrate 5G and 6G. Hence if we shut down the two telecom companies there is no room to enhance network in the country”
He added that free Wi-Fi is being provided in government offices, schools, and bus stops.
According to the DNT manifesto, digital divide was one of the gaps that the DNT intended to close.
Sonam Yuden/Tashi Dekar
Edited by Sherub Dorji
