The central government has taken action against the malicious digital lending applications as the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the home
ministry, has directed the Google to remove or disable access to six loan apps hosted on the Play Store. I4C has identified six applications that were being used to target Android users seeking quick loans, and Google was given three hours from the issuance of the notice to remove or disable access to the specified URLs. The notice identifies the six applications as LoanOrbit, Hisab, Nexus Loan, One Fund, Credit Factor and Mobile Credit Prairie. The applications presented themselves as legitimate loan providers, offering quick approvals and low interest rates, according to I4C. It alleged that after loans were disbursed, users were subjected to demands for “exorbitant interest rates” on the principal amount. "Once downloaded, the transnational criminals are harvesting sensitive information like personal identifiable information (PII) viz, Aadhaar card details, financial details, accessing contacts, gallery, camera, etc.," the notice said. I4C further flagged the use of Google's advertising ecosystem to promote the applications. "Malicious loan applications are promoted through Digital Advertisement on the Google Play Store”. I4C cited a provision saying an intermediary is required to remove or disable access to unlawful information within three hours of receiving actual knowledge through a court order or a "reasoned intimation" issued by an authorised government officer. "Google is hereby notified to remove and disable access to the concerned URLs within 3 hours of the issue of this communication without vitiating the evidence in any manner," it said.
