Teen app maker hacked into server data: BMTC chief

BENGALURU: Days after TOI reported that BMTC turned away a teenager whose app was providing real-time information on buses and blocked his access to their data server, BMTC chairman NA Haris faulted the youngster, saying he hacked into the utility’s information portal.
“A young boy came up with an app for public convenience… I also welcome it, but BMTC data was hacked. If somebody wants to make an app, he has to first take permission and make an agreement with the BMTC,” said Haris, while speaking at an event organised by Bangalore Political Action Committee (B.PAC) and cab aggregator Uber on Tuesday.
Responding to the boy’s offer to revamp the BMTC app for free, Haris said, “If something comes for free, it has no value… We don’t want it for free… Let it come at a cost and serve public purpose in a cost-effective way… I’ve no issues if people appreciate a youngster for doing something good, but this boy was hacking information. If it is appreciated, everybody will start doing it.”