Amidst growing political situation across borders, the Government of India led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a landmark decision to ban 59 Chinese apps in India. The Ministry of Information Technology (MeitY) issued a circular with the list of 59 Chinese mobile apps. According to sources, 59 Chinese apps have been banned because they violate the sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state, and public order. The Government has invoked the relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act to ban the apps.
In a statement released to the press, the Ministry of Information Technology (MeitY) disclosed that the move will safeguard the interests of crores of Indian mobile and Internet users. Moreover, the decision has been taken to ensure safety, integrity, and sovereignty of Indian cyberspace.
The complete list of 59 Chinese apps banned by Government of India are given below
TikTok
Shareit
Kwai
UC Browser
Baidu map
Shein
Clash of Kings
DU battery saver
Helo
Likee
YouCam makeup
Mi Community
CM Browers
Virus Cleaner
APUS Browser
ROMWE
Club Factory
Newsdog
Beutry Plus
WeChat
UC News
QQ Mail
Weibo
Xender
QQ Music
QQ Newsfeed
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
lean 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
Commenting on the development, Mohandas Pai, Chairman, Aarin Capital disclosed that we should strongly support Indian Government considering the Chinese threat across borders. Pai added that we should suffer the pain for our country. However, he said that we should not target companies with offices in India but investing in China. The Government should redraft the policies in such a way that the data collected by the Chinese apps are stores on Indian servers.
If the Chinese apps are used to collect information and used against our country, then the Government in power have full rights to ban them, says Jayant Dasgupta, Former Ambassador to WTO. Berges Malu of Sharechat added that the decision was a long time pending and is not a sudden decision.
The Government would have received requests from companies, NGOs, and individuals to ban Chinese apps including TikTok. There has been multiple cases of fatalities in India due to adverse use of TikTok. Malu added that the decision of the Government will benefit Indian startups.
There will be flow of investments from non-Chinese companies and Indian companies will benefit in the long term. Roposo founder Mayank Bhangadia said that the decision will be a big boost for Indian entrepreneurs and is in the interest of the country. The app has seen highest number of installations across Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Even though the Government have the right to ban Chinese mobile apps, they should also take into consideration the fate of the employees. This is because UC News has employed several people at its office in Gurugram and it will be a tough time for them to pass through the situation.
If the company can provide a concrete explanation before the Government, then the app could find limelight again. As of this writing, the UC News and UN Browser apps are available for download from Google Play Store. We have to wait and watch as to when they will be removed. Moreover, the Mi Community also includes a wide user base and has been followed by several people who work with Xiaomi smartphones. The company employed a team of volunteers who manage the daily work within the community.
