CoWIN app on the Play Store is fake, here's how you can spot it

The Indian government hasn't rolled out the CoWIN app yet.

CoWIN (www.cowin.gov.in)

The government last month announced a new platform called Co-WIN (short for COVID Vaccine Intelligence Network) that would help in delivering Covid-19 vaccine to the masses. At the time, the government had also announced that it would soon launch a mobile app that would help citizens in registering for the vaccine. Now, word is that a fake CoWIN is gaining popularity on the Play Store.

The news comes as a courtesy of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), which in a tweet cautioned smartphone users against downloading this fake app.

“Some apps named 'CoWIN' apparently created by unscrupulous elements to sound similar to the upcoming official platform of Govt, are on App stores. Don't download or share personal information on these. Dept official platform will be adequately publicised on its launch,” the Union Health Ministry wrote in a tweet.

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

In case you aren't sure, the CoWIN app available in the Play Store is fake. Here's how you can spot the fake app from the real one:

-- Know your facts: Before you download any app it's important to check the source. In the case of the CoWIN app, the government has already announced that the app is still in the development phase and that it hasn't been released yet. In other words, any app that claims otherwise is fake.

-- When in doubt go to the source: If you aren't sure about the authenticity of the app go the related website as these websites often have the links to download the app. The Indian government is already offering a web-based platform -- https://www.cowin.gov.in/login -- wherein users can register to get the vaccine. This platform would also have links to the CoWIN app when it is made available by the government.

-- Check the developers: Before downloading an app, do check the developer's details. One of the CoWIN apps has ‘cowin-electronics' listed as the developer, while the other has ‘c-chip' as the developer. Yet another Cowin app is a Gmail ID. An app by the government will have a government-related email ID. For instance, Aarogya Setu has NIC listed as the developer along with the email ID- support.aarogyasetu@gov.in.

-- Know your numbers: Another thing that you can look out for is the number of downloads. It's true that the government's CoWIN app isn't out yet. But whenever, it's out, it is likely to amass more downloads compared to the fake apps.