News:The Government of India has decided to make the Aarogya Setu app an open source to show its commitment towards transparency, privacy and security. It has also launched a programme called Arogya Setu Bug Bounty Programme.
Facts:
Source code: Software can be divided into two broad categories, Closed Source and Open source Software:
- Open-source software: It requires no licensing and need not be bought. Its source code is open for everyone to download, examine and modify with an acknowledgement to the original software coder or the company. Examples of such software are WordPress, VLC Media Player among others.
- Closed Source or Proprietary Software: It has to be bought or licensed from the creator of the software.Examples include Microsoft Windows, Adobe Photoshop.The intellectual property rights of the software even if bought or licensed remains with the creator.
Bug Bounty Programme:
- Objective: To partner with security researchers and Indian developer community to test the security effectiveness of Aargoya Setu and also to improve or strengthen its security and build user’s trust.
- The programme will be hosted by the MyGov team and will enable security researchers to avail cash prizes ranging between Rs 1 lakh to Rs 3 lakh on finding security vulnerabilities within the app.
