Apps with huge user base like Tik Tok, Club Factory, Xiaomi, Cam Scanner, UC Browser will be severely hit.
A very popular app Tik Tok was caught spying by Apple, as per the news a day before and now The Ministry of Information Technology, on June 29, banned 59 mobile apps, saying they are engaged in activities which are “prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India, defense of India, security of state and public order.
The list of apps included Tik Tok, CamScanner, Weibo, UC browser and many popular apps. (List of apps at the end)
The step taken by The IT Ministry has come after it received many complaints from various sources including several reports about misuse of some mobile apps available on Android and iOS platforms for stealing and surreptitiously transmitting users’ data in an unauthorized manner to servers which have locations outside India. Tik Tok caught by Apple being the last news (Link above)
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The IT ministry in its statement said that “The compilation of these data, its mining and profiling by elements hostile to national security and defence of India, which ultimately impinges upon the sovereignty and integrity of India, is a matter of very deep and immediate concern which requires emergency measures,”.
Anti China sentiment is catching up fast due to the current standoff and brutal clash between the armies of both India and China. The Chinese apps ban step has been lauded by The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) which in a statement said, “This huge unprecedented step will go a long way in strengthening the ‘Boycott China’ campaign of CAIT.”
Apps with huge user volume will be worst hit and they will include the likes of Tik Tok, Club Factory, Xiaomi, Cam Scanner, UC Browser, Bigo Live, WeChat.
The official twitter handle of Government of India, Ministry of Electronics and IT (GoI_MeitY) tweeted:
Here is a list Chinese apps ban that will not be available with immediate effect by the IT Ministry:
1. Tik Tok
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 Spac
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
Conclusion:
The Chinese apps have a huge user base as well as popularity and this move to ban them will definitely bring a lot of backlash from some section of users. Especially, those who were using these apps as their means of Income. Reactions both negative and positive will start pouring in today itself on various other platforms but to conclude, when it comes to safety and security of our nation then such steps seems necessary and practical. It’s the need of this hour and there are plethora of other apps on Google playstore and Apple store to replace them.
