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Why TikTok, UC Browser, Cam Scanner, WeChat, ShareIt (59 Apps) Are Blocked by India – What GoI Says?

June 30, 2020 | By

Chandigarh: Amidst heightened tensions with China in Ladakh region, the Government of India yesterday announced to ‘block’ 59 mobile apps. Most of these apps were developed and run by Chinese companies. The list included many popular apps like TikTok, UC Browser, CamScanner and WeChat (full list below).

The GoI has also blocked two Apps by Xiaomi- “Mi Community” and “Mi Video Call – Xiaomi”. Xiaomi’s mobile devices under brand name Mi have considerable market in India.

Under Which Law/Rules, the Blockage is Imposed?

In a written release India’s Ministry of Information Technology said that the blockage is imposed by 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.

What’s Reasons Are Put Forward by GoI for Imposing Blockage?

It further says that blockage is imposed “in view of the emergent nature of threats” in view of “information available” that these apps are “engaged in activities which is prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order”.

Rationale Explained by GoI in Support of Reasons for Imposing Blockage:

MIT’s written release reads: “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 sovereignty and security of our country“.

The Ministry of Information Technology 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”.

MIT Says There Were Recommendations of MHA’s ICCCC & CERT-IN Also:

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 security of data and risk to privacy relating to operation of certain apps. 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.

Justification Offered by GoI Runs Longer:

The justification rationale offered by MIT runs longer and also refers to ‘concerns’ flagged by MPs and also to ‘strong chorus in the public space’.

“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”, reads the MIT release.

“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”, it reads further.

“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 Indian cyberspace”, reads last line of release.

List of Apps That Are Blocked in India:

  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
  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


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