Govt. of India bans 59 Chinese apps including TikTok and UC Browser

Govt. of India blocked 59 Chinese apps, including hugely popular TikTok and UC Browser today.

The Chinese app ban is due to the huge economic backlash against China following the June 15 clashes at Ladakh in which 20 Indian soldiers died in action, and more than 70 were injured.

According to the sources, Indian intelligence inputs suggested that the apps have been violating the terms of usage, compromising user’s privacy, and being used as spyware or malware. Resulting Government has decided to disallow the usage of these 59 Chinese apps both in mobile and non-mobile Internet-enabled devices.

According to the government press release announcing the ban stated: “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”.

The press release also noted that “The Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-IN) has also received many representations from citizens regarding security of data and breach of privacy impacting upon public order issues,”.

It further says that the move to ban these Chinese apps 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 Indian cyberspace, it said.

List of the apps banned by Govt. of India:

1. TikTok
2. UC Browser
3. Shareit
4. Kwai
5. Baidu map
6. DU battery saver
7. Helo
8. Likee
9. YouCam makeup
10. Mi Community
11. CM Browers
12. APUS Browser
13. WeChat
14. UC News
15. QQ Mail
16. Weibo
17. Xender
18. QQ Music
19. QQ Newsfeed
20. Parallel Space
21. WeSync
22. ES File Explorer
23. Mi Video Call Xiaomi
24. DU Recorder
25. Vigo Video
26. Meitu
27. Viva Video QU Video Inc
28. Club Factory
29. Photo Wonder
30. New Video Status
31. Vault- Hide
32. Cam Scanner
33. QQ Player
34. DU Cleaner
35. DU Browser
36. Clean Master Cheetah Mobile
37. Shein
38. Clash of Kings
39. Virus Cleaner
40. Newsdog
41. ROMWE
42. We Meet
43. Wonder Camera
44. Hago Play With New Friends
45. Sweet Selfie
46. Bigo Live
47. SelfieCity
48. Cache Cleaner DU App studio
49. Vmate
50. Baidu Translate
51. U Video
52. Mail Master
53. QQ International
54. QQ Security Center
55. QQ Launcher
56. Beutry Plus
57. V fly Status Video
58. Mobile Legends
59. DU Privacy