Govt Bans TikTok. Full List of 59 China-Linked Apps on Security Concern

[Dipika Menon]

Amid the growing boycott Chinese products campaign, the Government of India decided to ban 59 Chinese apps in India. Citing safety and sovereignty of Indian cyberspace, the IT Ministry has sent a press release for the same.

In its official statement, the Government of India has decided to block 59 apps including the popular TikTok, UC Browser, and WeChat. Invoking its special power under section 69A of the Information Technology Act, the Govt (read it as the Ministry of Information Technology) has taken a concrete step.

Govt Bans TikTok & other Chinese Apps:

Along with the popular TikTok, 58 other apps originating from China got banned. As a result, the Government of India has decided to ban the usage of Chinese apps through any computer resource (both in mobile and non-mobile internet-enabled devices).

A day before this press release, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre working under Ministry of Home Affairs sent a detailed recommendation for blocking the malicious apps. Citing, data security and privacy breach as the prime issue, the Government has taken this extreme step.

Full List of Banned Chinese Apps:

This strict vigilance will now block 59 Chinese apps (full list below) with an immediate effect. The app ban is not just limited to TikTok. Even other popular apps including ShareIt, UC Browser, Club Factory, CamScanner, Helo, Clash of Kings etc will be blocked.

COMPLETE LIST OF 59 CHINESE APPS BLOCKED IN INDIA

• TikTok
• Shareit
• Kwai
• UC Browser
• Baidu map
• Shein
• Clash of Kings
• DU battery saver
• Helo
• Likee
• YouCam makeup
• QQ Newsfeed
• Mi Community
• CM Browsers
• Virus Cleaner
• APUS Browser
• ROMWE
• Club Factory
• Newsdog
• Beauty Plus
• WeChat
• UC News,
• QQ Mail
• Weibo
• Xender
• QQ Music
• Bigo Live
• SelfieCity
• Mail Master
• Parallel Space
• Mi Video Call – Xiaomi
• WeSync
• ES File Explorer
• Viva Video – QU Video Inc
• Meitu
• Vigo Video
• New Video Status
• DU Recorder
• Vault- Hide
• Cache Cleaner DU App studio
• DU Cleaner
• DU Browser
• Hago Play With New Friends
• Cam Scanner
• Clean Master – Cheetah Mobile
• Wonder Camera
• Photo Wonder
• QQ Player
• We Meet
• Sweet Selfie
• Baidu Translate
• Vmate
• QQ International
• QQ Security Center
• QQ Launcher
• U Video
• V fly Status Video
• Mobile Legends
• DU Privacy

Reasons Behind this Chinese Ban:

There’s a huge fan base for TikTok in India. Even our Bollywood and TV celebrities including Neha Kakkar, Shilpa Shetty, Riteish Deshmukh, Jacqueline Fernadez, Deepika Padukone, Sunny Leone, Tiger Shroff are not far either. They use this platform to share and get connected with their followers.

Even several departments in the Government of India do have official TikTok account. They include MyGovtIndia, MyGov, Karnataka Govt, Greater Mumbai Municipal Corporation, Maharashtra Public Health Department, Press Information Bureau, Indian Railways etc.

If TikTok is so friendly, then why there’s a double standard by Indian Government in banning it?

Huawei Security Scandal:

Initially, the US, Australia and the UK have reported that the Chinese companies are collecting intimate data through their hardware and software. That’s the reason, Chinese made-5G networking equipment was not accepted by many governments across the world.

After India-China face-off at Ladakh’s Galwan valley, the state-run telecom major BSNL has also stopped procuring the telecom gear from Chinese vendors. This was clearly formulated by the Department of Telecommunications.

Undoubtedly, there has been a strong support to the Govt to make its Anti-China campaign productive. The India-China face-off from the recent Ladakh’s Galwan valley violet episodes has fueled a strong chorus in the Indian streets.

If one observes the official statement by the Ministry of IT, there’s a clear mention that these 59-Chinese apps are engaged in activities which are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order.

Digital Surgical Strike & its Effect:

The latest action by the Modi Government is being termed by his followers as a big digital surgical strike against China. It has both pros and cons.

The next step will be the removal of these banned apps from Google Play Store and Apple iOS store. As soon as they receive the order copy from Govt of India, both the companies (Google and Apple) will follow it.

Even if the banned app is already on the phone, then it will not work. The mobile networks and ISP (Airtel, Jio, BSNL etc) will soon receive the Govt order copy and block these apps on their networks.

As the Govt has not termed it as illegal, some hardcore users are trying to access these banned apps through VPNs. The desi core users will definitely look for the alternatives. But the real concern is the impact of the ban who has it as the source of income.

These companies have got Indian offices and workforce. This ban will definitely have an adverse effect on their employees in India. With COVID-19 pandemic recession, the plight of these job holders could be at stake.

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