India bans 59 Chinese apps including TikTok
NEW DELHI, June 29, 2020
The Indian government on Monday banned as many as 59 mobile apps, most of them Chinese, including popular ones like TikTok, UC Browser and WeChat citing multiple reasons such as security and privacy concerns.
The move comes as tensions between India and China have escalated following the Galwan Valley clashes on June 15 that left 20 Indian soldiers and double the Chinese troops dead.
In an official statement, the ministry of information and technology said the apps have been banned due to multiple reasons such as security and privacy concerns.
Here are the reasons cited by the government to impose the ban:
* There have been raging concerns on aspects relating to data security and safeguarding the privacy of 130 crore Indians.
* The apps have been banned as they pose elements that are hostile to national security and defence of India, which ultimately impinges upon its sovereignty and integrity and is a matter of very deep and immediate concern requiring emergency measures.
* Representations have been received from citizens regarding the security of data and risk to privacy related to operation of certain apps along with those received by the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-IN) regarding breach of privacy impacting public issues.
* The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, ministry of home affairs has also sent exhaustive recommendation for blocking these malicious apps.
* Concerns have been flagged by various public representatives, both outside and inside Parliament, and there has been a strong consensus to take strict action against such apps.
* The ban will ensure the safety and sovereignty of Indian cyberspace and safeguard the interests of crores of mobile and internet users.
While the orders have been issued today, it may take some time for the app and play stores to act on them. The government order will apply not just to new downloads but will also cover the already downloaded apps that have been banned. Those who have already downloaded these apps will not be able to use them as they will all be deactivated.
