Smartphones are more than just a mobile gadgets nowadays. These pocket-sized devices are have become a crucial aspect of our daily lifestyle by allowing us to communicate, access the internet, gaming, and also photograph. We often rely on smartphones to store our personal data using dedicated apps such as Google Drive and others. In the case of smartphone thefts, there are possibilities that your personal data gets into the wrong hands.
But what’s concerning the masses is cops snatching mobile devices and scanning them for crooked activities that the user might be into. After rapidly increasing complaints highlighting this issue with policemen, the Bengaluru Police commissioner has stepped in himself to take control of this situation. A new directive has been shared by the Bengaluru Police commission that barres police officials from checking citizens’ smartphones under any pretext. Here’s what you should do when any policeman asks or snatches your smartphone next time you are out on the roads:
Here’s Why Police Officials Are Directed Not To Check Smartphones Under Any Circumstance?
Kamal Pant, Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru has shared a tweet that comes as a relief for the general audience. The tweet shared by the commissioner states that policemen are strictly prohibited from checking any user’s mobile phone under any circumstance without any prior official notice or order. In a statement, Pant said, “@BlrCityPolice strictly prohibits any Policeman from checking mobile phone of any citizen under any pretext. If there is any such incident, please intimate 112 or inform the Commissioner of Police at 080-22942215.”
This directive comes after multiple complaints being raised by individuals narrating the ordeal that they have been experiencing all this while. One of the recent incidents went viral on social media platforms where a youth complained his phone was snatched by cops during the night where the police officials searched for words such as ‘Weed’ and ‘Pot’.
This is a serious concern that could have landed the user in trouble even if he wasn’t directly associated with such products. Ever since this incident has come to light, numerous users flooded the online space scrutinizing the move by the police.
Some of the reports do suggest that it was the traffic police scanning for required transport documents. However, the exact scenario isn’t clear and since the investigations aren’t underway, it would be hard to comment on what really happened. Nevertheless, the Bengaluru Police commissioner taking this matter into his own hands and giving a stern warning to his official definitely comes as a respite for the general public who doesn’t want to be troubled unnecessarily.
Will This New Order Be Applicable For Other Indian States?
Currently, the announcement has come only from the Banglore Police. The official from the remaining states hasn’t shared any word on the same. However, if in case you are in a similar situation, you have all the right to ask the police officials the reason and authentic orders to scan your smartphones. Specifically, if the officials are trying to access your personal documents or chats.
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