India is taking a major step to strengthen its digital sovereignty. The country will now launch its own web browser, giving a boost to the indigenous internet ecosystem. The development was announced by Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday. He said the initiative symbolises a more inclusive approach to innovation, involving startups, academia and researchers.
Zoho Corporation wins indigenous browser development challenge
The minister awarded Zoho Corporation the first prize in the Indian Web Browser Development Challenge (IWBDC). The competition was backed by the government, aimed at promoting homegrown internet solutions. 58 teams participated in the challenge, with Zoho securing the top spot. Apart from this, Team Ping and Team Ajna secured second and third positions respectively.
Shift in tech innovation
The emergence of new tech innovators from tier-2 and tier-3 cities reflects a significant shift in India’s digital landscape, government officials said. This shift is essential to move the country towards a product-driven economy, while also signaling its desire to nurture its strong service industry.
Benefits of Swadeshi Web Browser
The web browser plays a key role in internet accessibility as it enables online activities such as web surfing, email access, e-office operations and digital transactions. The launch of the Swadeshi web browser is expected to bring several benefits, including enhanced data security and privacy compliance. Indian officials said that this browser will make it possible to keep the data of Indian users within the country, thereby promoting digital sovereignty.
