The move came amid tension with China following the June 15 clashes at Ladakh in which 20 Indian soldiers died in action and more than 70 were injured.

New Delhi, June 29: 

The Centre has blocked 59 apps with Chinese links that included the hugely popular TikTok and UC Browser, amid a huge economic backlash against China following the June 15 clashes at Ladakh in which 20 Indian soldiers died in action. Sources said inputs from intelligence agencies suggested that the apps have been violating the terms of usage, compromising users privacy, and being used as spyware or malware.

Within minutes of the announcement, the Indian government’s TikTok account MyGov, which had 1.1 million followers, was disabled.

The move comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India has given a “befitting response” to China. He also spoke of the countrywide call for boycott of Chinese goods, juxtaposing it against the government’s “Atma Nirbhar Bharat” campaign. “We will buy local and be vocal for local and this will help India become stronger,” he said.

In a statement this evening, the government said the apps were blocked “in view of 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 statement from the Ministry of Electronics and Information and Technology said it had received an “exhaustive recommendation” from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The ministry said it also received representations from people on “security of data and risk to privacy” regarding certain apps.
“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,” the statement read.

The move comes amid a countrywide call from traders and civil society to boycott Chinese products and services after the June 15 clashes. The government had chipped in with a bar on Chinese equipment for the 4G upgradation of the state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd and sacking of a Chinese firm that had a Rs 471-crore railways contract.

 

Last week, the government also made the mention of the “Country of Origin” mandatory for sellers listing their products in the Government e-Marketplace — a move that’s expected to add to the odds against Chinese products. E-commerce companies including Amazon and Flipkart, have decided to follow suit.

Experts suggested that the ban on apps is a major blow to China’s Digital Silk Route ambitions, eroding millions of dollars from valuation of its companies. This could also lead to more countries following India’s path in acting against these Apps.

“The Modi government shows its tremendous resolve and dexterity of engaging China on multiple fronts and hitting China where it hurts the most,” said a party source. “This is India’s first salvo to China after the border clashes, showing that India has a diverse range of retaliatory options,” he added.

Here is the full list of apps that have been banned:

  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