India bans 59 Chinese apps, including TikTok, ShareIt, UC Browser…

In a major decision, the government has banned at least 59 Chinese apps including TikTok. Many popular apps including Shareit, Helo, Shein, Likee, WeChat, UC Browser figured among the list of banned Chinese apps. The move is aimed at "safeguarding" the interests of crores of Indian mobile and internet users.

This decision is a targeted move to ensure the safety and sovereignty of Indian cyberspace, the Ministry of Information Technology said in a notification.

"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 since in view of the 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."

FULL LIST OF CHINESE APPS BANNED BY GOVT:

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
31. WeSync
32. ES File Explorer
33. Viva Video – QU Video Inc
34. Meitu
35. Vigo Video
36. New Video Status
37. DU Recorder
38. Vault- Hide
39. Cache Cleaner DU App studio
40. DU Cleaner
41. DU Browser
42. Hago Play With New Friends
43. Cam Scanner
44. Clean Master – Cheetah Mobile
45. Wonder Camera
46. Photo Wonder
47. QQ Player
48. We Meet
49. Sweet Selfie
50. Baidu Translate
51. Vmate
52. QQ International
53. QQ Security Center
54. QQ Launcher
55. U Video
56. V fly Status Video
57. Mobile Legends
58. DU Privacy

In the notification, the ministry said it has 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. "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," the ministry further said.

The ministry said that 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 the security of data and risk to privacy relating to the operation of certain apps, it said.

"The Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-IN) has also received many representations from citizens regarding the 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," the ministry expressed concern.