Beware! Don’t download apps named ‘CoWIN’ from Play Store, warns health ministry

Jan. 6: There has been a wild rush for downloading “CoWIN” app from various app stores. Atleast 3 such apps with the name “CoWIN” are also available in Google Play Store. There is a risk factor involved, if such apps are downloaded, warns the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW). More than 10,000 people have downloaded it from the Play Store but are now facing problems.

Warning the people not to download this app, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) in a tweet on 6 January wrote, “Some apps named “#CoWIN” apparently created by unscrupulous elements to sound similar to upcoming official platform of Government, are on App stores. DO NOT download or share personal information on these. #MoHFW Official platform will be adequately publicised on its launch.”

Some apps named "#CoWIN" apparently created by unscrupulous elements to sound similar to upcoming official platform of Government, are on Appstores.

DO NOT download or share personal information on these. #MoHFW Official platform will be adequately publicised on its launch.

— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) January 6, 2021

The MoHFW further informed that the official CoWIN (COVID Vaccine Intelligence Network) app introduced by the centre is currently in its pre-production stage and hasn’t gone live on Google play store or any other App store. This app is supposed to be the only digital platform to make the vaccination process streamlines.