Amid death and sky-high tensions at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the Indian government has just now struck back at what it views as unwarranted Chinese aggression and expansionism. Targeted are a host of Chinese apps that the government of India feels are “prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defense of India, security of state and public order.”
The long list of proscribed mobile apps includes the like of TikoTok, UC Browser, SHAREit, Baudi map, Mi Community, WeChat, Helo, UC News, Weibo, Club Factory, Xender, Mi Video Call, Meitu, Clean Master and CamScanner.
The order banning at least 59 Chinese apps was issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). It decried the apparent threat these apps posed to the Indian nation, its people, and their interests and noted that “this move will safeguard the interests of crores of Indian mobile and internet users. This decision is a targeted move to ensure safety and sovereignty of the Indian cyberspace.”
Here’s a full list of the banned apps:
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. 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 — 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
Full Statement Of The Indian Government Over Chinese App Ban
A full statement setting out the reasons for proscribing 59 Chinese apps has been released. Here is it:
Over the last few years, India has emerged as a leading innovator when it comes to technological advancements and a primary market in the digital space.
At the same time, there have been raging concerns on aspects relating to data security and safeguarding the privacy of 130 crore Indians. It has been noted recently that such concerns also pose a threat to the sovereignty and security of our country. The Ministry of Information Technology has received many complaints from various sources including several reports about the 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, it’s 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 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. 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.
On the basis of these and upon receiving of recent credible inputs that such Apps pose threat to sovereignty and integrity of India, the Government of India has decided to disallow the usage of certain Apps, used in both mobile and non-mobile Internet-enabled devices. These apps are listed in the attached appendix.
At Each Others Throats
There are many viable reasons for this surprise move by the Indian government. It comes in the wake of skyrocketing tensions along its border with China, which has led to troop movements and reinforcements by either side to shore up their position in the oxygen-depleted terrain. It also follows upon the widely reported and shocking Galwan Valley clash, during which some 20 Indian soldiers died in hand-to-hand combat and of exposure.
Sources also relate the death of scores of Chinese soldiers during the clash, though the precise number remains unclear. The clash happened in mid-June and began when unarmed Indian soldiers on a reconnaissance mission were set upon and attacked.
The June clash and others this year have as expected spurred an outflow of nationalism by the citizens of both countries, with threats and counter-threats flying on the cybersphere. Indians are also currently boycotting Chinese products and services, with clips of them destroying their made in China consumer electronics common on sites like Twitter and YouTube.
What the next step will remain unclear as the two nuclear superpowers rush to get the upper hand and dominate the other by any means necessary.