The govt banned 59 Chinese mobile applications, including top social media platforms such as TikTok, Helo and WeChat, to counter the threat posed by these applications to the country’s “sovereignty and security,” it said in a press release late on Monday. ShareIT, UC browser and shopping app Clubfactory are among the other prominent apps that have been blocked amid rising tensions between India and China following clashes at the border two weeks ago.
The government said the applications are engaged in activities “prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order.” The ban has been imposed under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act read with relevant provisions of the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking of Access of Information by Public) Rules 2009, it said
India Bans 59 Mobile Apps
Apps Now Blocked By India
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 Browers
14. Virus Cleaner
15. APUS Browser
16. ROMWE
17. Club Factory
18. Newsdog
19. Beutry 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 Privacyhttps://www.youtube.com/embed/x5avoQi-rr0?feature=oembed
HOW BLOCKING IS WORKING
Beyond blocking future downloads of the apps, the second layer of restriction will come in the form of prospective downloads of updates and patches that may make the apps redundant for existing users.
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is also coordinating with the department of telecommunication (both portfolios held by Ravi Shankar Prasad) to create further roadblocks for the use of these apps in case of existing users.
DoT has asked internet service providers or ISPs and TSPs to block the flow of data for these apps. The same method was earlier used to block several foreign and pornography sites. Through this technology, the flow of data for these apps would be blocked at the internet gateways.
Interestingly, China has been successfully using these methods to block its citizen from using popular sites like Facebook and search engines like Google.
In the UAE, the government has blocked WhatsApp calls through these methods. While WhatsApp chat is allowed, calling has been barred.
Meanwhile, TikTok on Tuesday said it is in the process of complying with the government’s order on blocking of the app, and asserted that it has not shared information of Indian users with any foreign government, including that of China.
The short video-sharing company said it has been invited to meet with concerned government stakeholders for an opportunity to respond and submit clarifications.