M-Kavach is a versatile Android security app from the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing, a research and development arm of the Indian government.

The app offers several modules and security layers to protect you from a range of threats.

M-Kavach can restricts app access to key resources, including wifi, Bluetooth, camera and mobile data.

An App Manager limits access to critical apps such as mobile wallets.

A filter enables blocking unwanted calls and SMS.

Anti-theft features include remote wiping of contacts, call logs or the entire device via SMS.

A suite of simple security tools in one free app

You also get some protection against malicious JavaScript, apparently (we’re unsure what this involves), and easy backup and restore helps prevent loss of data.

Having this functionality delivered by a government-sponsored developer means you at least know they’re not trying to rip you off financially. There will also be people who say this kind of project could be used to install back doors, or otherwise compromise systems. That’s true, but we suspect the damage that would cause when it was discovered – and it would be – far outweighs any benefits it would bring. We think the app is more likely safe than not.

Unfortunately, governments don’t usually have the best or most commercially aware developers, and some recent M-Kavach issues suggest that’s also the case here. Did app locking really stop working if the device was rebooted? Yes, at one time, although it’s fixed now.

Other functions do seem more reliable, fortunately, and the app’s 4.5-star rating at the Play Store suggests it’s doing something right. Take a look.

M-Kavach is a free app for Android.