Security breach in 'DMart Ready', online shopping app raises concern

Hyderabad: DMart customers who have switched to the supermarket's online delivery service have raised security concerns regarding the app DMart Ready, an online grocery shopping service provided by the supermarket. Though it was started months ago, the app received more hits after the Corona virus lockdown.

According to customers, each time a user opens the application it redirects him/her to the profile of another registered user allowing users to see the personal details like name, phone number, and email address of other customers.

Ram Prasad Vanaparthi, a resident of Yousufguda, is one such customer who experienced the security issue. “I started using the app six days ago because it promises to deliver groceries to my doorstep. I made a purchase using the app only once. Everything went smoothly the first time. The issue started when I tried using it the second time. When I opened the app I saw different items in my cart. However, I had not added those items. That’s when I noticed the account was different. The app had automatically redirected my account to another registered number. I was able to see the personal details of that user,” he said.

Mr Vanaparthi, who also works part-time at DMart, said he continued to encounter similar issues. He finally uninstalled the app fearing data breach. “If I can see another user's personal details that means other customers will also be able to access mine. This is a security threat. Whenever I open the cart it shows different items and different IDs, many of which are not even from Hyderabad. They are accounts of people from across the country. I tried refreshing the app but that made no difference.”

Another customer, Parthasarathy Sridharan, also encountered a similar issue. "I understand the application was launched in a hurry but it needs a quick update and fixing of several bugs. At least get the basics right. The items you add to your cart disappear the next time you open it,” he said.

Meanwhile, Rinkush Nagda brought the issue to the notice of DMart and the app developer but there was no response or action. “DMart shout take a look at the list of errors mentioned by users on Play Store and resolve the issue. The app closes every five minutes and you are logged out. You have to restart it multiple times to place an order. Sometimes when you add an item, the old ones are deleted. You need to make a minimum purchase of Rs. 1,000 for online delivery. Several items are already sold at double the MRP and now to add to that there is a threat of a security breach," she said, adding people are in desperate need of such online apps during the lockdown.