Guardian, an app that protects users against apps that nip their mobile airtime has launched. The app also called “Anti-Virus for airtime” was created by RND Labs, a South African mobile technology and software focused Startup.
Currently, the app is available for only Android mobile devices while it has not yet been disclosed when it will be available for Apple users. Noteworthy also is the fact that the app only works for South Africa’s three major mobile services providers, namely MTN, Vodacom, and Cell C.
Laurence Seberini, Director at RND Labs said, “We hope Guardian will emerge as the leading locally-developed Android app aimed at protecting mobile users from inadvertently downloaded malware. Airtime is a de facto currency today and its theft has a real adverse financial impact on millions of people. This is the only locally-developed anti-malware app that notifies the user of potential threats in real-time while offering the fastest way to neutralize them.”
According to Iafrikan, disappearing airtime or data bundles has been a persistent issue over the years with telecommunications companies most of the time claiming they are doing nothing wrong. However, in some proven cases, it has been the mobile services providers who were responsible for “stealing” customers airtime and data bundles.
Speaking further on the app, Seberini said, “The growing challenge of malware and ransomware inadvertently downloaded from app stores by unsuspecting mobile users requires effective responses from the local mobile content and applications industry. We believe Guardian is a great example of what can be achieved by local development talent in the face of virtual threats.”
There are however reservations in some quarters as it pertains the claims made by the Guardian app to be able to protect airtime theft. Questions have been raised as to its ability to also protect users’ airtime from threats posed by mobile services providers in South Africa doing the same.
In response, RND Labs stated that the Guardian app protects customers from malware or suspicious activity that may result in unauthorized subscription services that use their airtime and data bundles. It doesn’t, however, protect against the mobile networks “stealing” your airtime and data.
The app is currently available for free on the Google Play Store to the first 1,000 users. Thereafter, users can try it out for a 30-day free trial after which an R9.99 monthly subscription fee is applicable.
