As anti-China sentiments reached its peak, the Government of India’s Ministry of Information Technology has officially cracked down on 59 Chinese apps including TikTok, UC Browser, WeChat, and others citing security concerns. Indian government’s decision comes under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act read with the relevant provisions of the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking of Access of Information by Public) Rules 2009.
Govt of India officially bans 59 Chinese apps
The Government of India has imposed a ban on TikTok and several other Chinese apps in the wake of the “emergent nature of threats.” In its press release, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has slammed 59 Chinese apps for their involvement in activities that are “prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order.”
The Ministry of Information Technology swung into action acted on complaints from various sources including reports about the misuse of certain mobile apps including unauthorized user data mining and harvesting.
“The compilation of these data, its mining and profiling by elements hostile to national security and defence of India, which ultimately impinges upon the sovereignty and integrity of India, is a matter of very deep and immediate concern which requires emergency measures.”
Here’s the full list of apps banned by the Government of India, as follows:
- TikTok
- Shareit
- Kwai
- UC Browser
- Baidu map
- Shein
- Clash of Kings
- DU battery saver
- Helo
- Likee
- YouCam makeup
- Mi Community
- CM Browers
- Virus Cleaner
- APUS Browser
- ROMWE
- Club Factory
- Newsdog
- Beutry Plus
- UC News
- QQ Mail
- Xender
- QQ Music
- QQ Newsfeed
- Bigo Live
- SelfieCity
- Mail Master
- Parallel Space
- Mi Video Call – Xiaomi
- WeSync
- ES File Explorer
- Viva Video – QU Video Inc
- Meitu
- Vigo Video
- New Video Status
- DU Recorder
- Vault- Hide
- Cache Cleaner DU App studio
- DU Cleaner
- DU Browser
- Hago Play With New Friends
- Cam Scanner
- Clean Master – Cheetah Mobile
- Wonder Camera
- Photo Wonder
- QQ Player
- We Meet
- Sweet Selfie
- Baidu Translate
- Vmate
- QQ International
- QQ Security Center
- QQ Launcher
- U Video
- V fly Status Video
- Mobile Legends
- DU Privacy
Meanwhile, the exact nature or tenure of this ban is currently unknown. At the time of this publication, the apps are listed on Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Earlier this month, Truecaller exclusively told TheWindowsClub that its caller ID app has nothing to do with China.
