NewDelhi : The government of India on Monday banned as many as 59 Chinese mobile apps including popular video sharing app TikTok.
The other banned mobile apps with Chinese origin include Cam scanner, UC Bowser, Xender, SHAREit, Club Factory, Weibo, Mi Video Call, Baidu map, Helo, Mi COmmunity, Club Factory, WeChat, UC News, Weibo, Xender, Meitu, CamScanner, and Clean Master – Cheetah Mobile, Bigo Live, Vmate, Selfie city,Cleanmaster.
“The Ministry of Information Technology, invoking it’s power 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 and in view of the emergent nature of threats has decided to block 59 apps ( see Appendix) since in view of information available they are engaged in activities which is prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order” said a government release.
“The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, Ministry of Home Affairs has also sent an exhaustive recommendation for blocking these malicious apps. This Ministry has also received many representations raising concerns from citizens regarding security of data and risk to privacy relating to operation of certain apps. The Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-IN) has also received many representations from citizens regarding security of data and breach of privacy impacting upon public order issues. Likewise, there have been similar bipartisan concerns, flagged by various public representatives, both outside and inside the Parliament of India. There has been a strong chorus in the public space to take strict action against Apps that harm India’s sovereignty as well as the privacy of our citizens” it added.
Interestingly controversial Chinese video conferencing app Zoom has not been included in the list. Last week intelligence agencies had alerted the government about these Chinese apps.