The govt blocked 59 Chinese Smartphone applications, including top social media sites like TikTok, Helo, and WeChat, to combat the danger posed by these applications to the “sovereignty and stability” of the country, it said in a press release late Monday. ShareIT, UC client, and shopping app Clubfactory are among other popular applications that were blocked two weeks ago in the wake of increasing tensions between India and China after border clashes.
The government said the applications are engaged in practices “prejudicial to India’s sovereignty and independence, protection of India, state security and public order.” The ban was enforced under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act read with the related provisions of the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking Access to Information by Public) Regulations 2009, it said The government also cited concerns of Indian consumers moving data abroad without authorization.
A top official said both things had been weighed by the government before the decision was made. The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) statement said that it had received complaints from different outlets, including multiple claims about the exploitation of certain Smartphone applications to intercept and surreptitiously transfer user data to servers outside India.
Recently it was noted that these issues are also a threat to ou’s sovereignty and stability. The Coordination Centre for Indian Cyber Crime, part of the Ministry of Home Affairs, has submitted an “exhaustive suggestion to block harmful software,” said the press release.
Spokespeople for ByteDance, TikTok, and Helo’s founders, and Alibaba, who owns UC Software, said they couldn’t immediately comment.
Here’s the complete list of the apps banned:
- 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
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Analysts said the move would affect apps in China.“It is sound from a legal viewpoint, as grounds such as national security are difficult to contest in a court of law,” said Santosh Pai, Link Legal’s partner, who monitors Chinese investment in the region.
Conclusion:
The change could come as a shock to China’s plans on the Virtual Silk Road, eroding corporate value. It could also lead to more countries taking the cue from India and intervening against these applications, as per sources.
