Faircode Technologies Private Limited, the Kochi-based developers of Bev Q, the virtual queue management app for maintaining social distancing at liquor outlets, has raised suspicion of a targeted and malicious cyber attack behind the problems faced by the app.
The startup was pummelled in the social media after the app had a meltdown throwing liquor sale into complete disarray across the State with users unable to book tokens for time slot. "The app was published after clearing all load and security tests and also had third party approval. Bugs that never featured during those tests have popped up now making us suspect of a malicious cyber attack. The message of 'connection error' received by many was a sign of someone trying to run roughshod over our code. We are trying to fix it," a senior official with the startup told The Hindu.
He said that two more service providers were roped in in addition to the original one after hiccups were detected on the first day with the generation of One Time Passwords. "However, we are not still able to benefit from the addition owing to the attack on our server and platform," he said. With no liquor sale slated for Sunday and Monday, the startup hopes to utilise that break to rectify all technical glitches.
The official shot down allegations that the promoters of the startup have gone into hiding owing to the failure of the app. He claimed that they were very much in their office in Kochi contrary to reports that they were avoiding the office leaving to their employees. He said that they turned incommunicado after being explicitly told by government authorities to lie low in the face of hostile media coverage. The fact that the startup had deleted all posts relating to the app and the scathing comments they attracted from their Facebook page gave added credence to some media reports that they had gone into hiding.
