TikTok, ShareIt, UC Browser, Club Factory among 59 Chinese apps banned by the Indian government

• Popular apps TikTok, ShareIt, UC Browser and Club Factory are amongst the 59 Chinese apps banned by the Indian government.
• The government cited national security concerns and added that these apps are prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India.
• Experts believe that the Indian government is within its rights to ban apps which spread misinformation under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act 2000.

TikTok, ShareIt, UC Browser, Club Factory are among the 59 Chinese apps banned by the Indian government, as tensions between both the countries escalate.

"The Ministry of Information Technology, invoking its power under section 69A of the Information Technology Act and in view of the emergent nature of threats has decided to block 59 apps,” the government said in its official notification.

“They are engaged in activities which is prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order,” the government further added. The notification further said that the Ministry of Information Technology has received complaints and reports of these apps “stealing and surreptitiously transmitting users’ data in an unauthorized manner to servers which have locations outside India”.

Interestingly enough, Indian government created its official account on TikTok called @MyGovIndia, which is no longer available.

Naveen Tewari, Founder and CEO, InMobi Group said, "This is the digital aatmanirbhar moment that most Indians have been rooting for. As the number one top video app on the Google Play Store, Roposo is very well positioned to lead this movement. Roposo will continue to build on the trust and love that 55 million Indian users have placed in us."

Also read: Here are the top 10 popular Chinese apps in India in 2020

List of Chinese apps banned in 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 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
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. CamScanner
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

Blaise Fernandes, director at Mumbai-based thinktank Gateway House, believes the Indian government is within its rights to ban apps that spread misinformation under Section 69A of the IT Act 2000.

He explains that there are four types of Chinese apps – economic apps, vanity apps, nuisance apps and ones used for spreading Chinese propaganda. Of these four, he believes at least three can be banned.

"As far as the legality of the ban is concerned, we must look at section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 which empowers the central government to restrict public access of information on a computer source. This ban will prevent access to the internet for these apps within India’s territorial limits, and ban the downloads of the app on apple store, and google play store. Now, as we examine the list of the apps that were released by the order, it is crucial to understand the basis for such ban. National security remains primary and crucial, but there needs to be consistent application of the law to ensure uniformity in government actions. " said Kazim Rizvi, Founder, tech policy think tank The Dialogue.

The ongoing India-China border tensions have led to an increase in the anti-China sentiment in the country, with people calling for boycott of Chinese goods.

The 59 Chinese apps which have been banned will likely no longer be available for download in the Google Play store and Apple app store in India.

Further, reports suggest that the government could also issue an order to internet service providers in India to block host servers used by these Chinese apps. This will prevent users who already have these apps installed from using them, essentially rendering them useless.

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