New Delhi: The Government of India banned as many as 59 Chinese apps including TikTok and Shareit today on the grounds of national security.
New Delhi: The Government of India banned as many as 59 Chinese apps including TikTok and Shareit today on the grounds of national security.
Majority of these apps were recently red-flagged by intelligence agencies over concerns that they were collecting user data and possibly sending them out of the country’s borders. The Government of India was said to have taken cognizance of the issue and was in the process of examining the risks involved with using these apps. It seems now the government has indeed found these apps in violation of national security.
The apps that have been banned are Tik Tok, Sharit, Kwai, UC Browser, Baidu map, Shein, clash of Kings, DU battery saver, Helo, Likee, YouCam makeup, Mi Community, CM Browsers, Virus Cleaner, Apus Browser, among others.
ANI tweeted that the banned apps"are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order”.
The purported ban comes after 20 Indian soldiers were killed and several others grievously injured in a face-off with the Chinese troops in Ladakh’s Galwan Valley.
This may be the first time the government has downright banned these many Chinese. Previously, it hesitated going down that route, but kept releasing advisories for the public to stay wary of the apps.
The ban on TikTok is of particular significance because it was recently caught spying on iPhone users and the company has since admitted to these claims and said it won’t be repeating it again.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has issued the list of the banned apps said in a statement, "These measures have been undertaken since there is credible information that these apps are engaged in activities which are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order."
The full list of apps that have been banned is as follows:
1. TikTok
2. Shareit
3. Kwai
4. UC Browser
5. Baidu map
6. Shein
7. Clash of Kings
8. DU battery saver
9. Helo
10. Likee
11. YouCam makeup
12. Mi Community
13. CM Browser
14. Virus Cleaner
15. APUS Browser
16. ROMWE
17. Club Factory
18. Newsdog
19. Beauty Plus
20. WeChat
21. UC News
22. QQ Mail
23. Weibo
24. Xender
25. QQ Music
26. QQ Newsfeed
27. Bigo Live
28. SelfieCity
29. Mail Master
30. Parallel Space
31. Mi Video Call — Xiaomi
32. WeSync
33. ES File Explorer
34. Viva Video — QU Video Inc
35. Meitu
36. Vigo Video
37. New Video Status
38. DU Recorder
39. Vault- Hide
40. Cache Cleaner DU App studio
41. DU Cleaner
42. DU Browser
43. Hago Play With New Friends
44. Cam Scanner
45. Clean Master - Cheetah Mobile
46. Wonder Camera
47. Photo Wonder
48. QQ Player
49. We Meet
50. Sweet Selfie
51. Baidu Translate
52. Vmate
53. QQ International
54. QQ Security Center
55. QQ Launcher
56. U Video
57. V fly Status Video
58. Mobile Legends
59. DU Privacy