As tensions along the border continue, the Government of India has banned 59 Chinese apps including Tik Tok sabotaging the privacy of the users and gradually fetching unwarranted data from the phones.
Tik Tok is one of the most used Chinese apps, very popular amongst the Indian youth is also one of the 59 banned apps by the government.
The government has decided to disallow the usage of these apps both in mobile and non-mobile Internet-enabled devices.
A 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 are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order”.
The press release further said that the Ministry of Information Technology has 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 the security of data and breach of privacy impacting upon public order issues,” the press release mentioned.
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 the safety and sovereignty of Indian cyberspace, it said.
Earlier this month, data from the Finland-based mobile-ranking platform, AppFollow, indicated that applications like TikTok have borne the brunt of Indian anger over Ladakh tensions.
List of 59 Banned Chinese Apps by the government
- 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
- UC News
- QQ Mail
- 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
- Clean 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
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From the past few weeks, Tik Tok was dripping down in terms of rating on the play store. TikTok slipped down to number 10 on the App Store.
Among Android users, the same Chinese application dropped from number 3 to number 5 in India ranking. However, stayed amongst the top ten apps in the country.
Popular among youngsters, TikTok has the maximum number of users in India, followed by China and the US.
TikTok crossed the 2 billion mark soon after surpassing the 1.5 billion mark in the first quarter of 2020. Out of the 2 billion, India turned out to be the biggest driver with over 611 million downloads.
According to the report by Sensor Tower, TikTok’s surge in popularity was due to the coronavirus pandemic. People found TikTok to be most entertaining and engaging in quarantine.
The other 58 Apps are also very popular apps in the country due to easy interface and convenient usage, we hope Indian brands come earliest with alternate Indian brands and we do not have to further rely on such Chinese apps.
As suggested by PM Modi Be vocal for the local, support Indian brands more.
ALSO READ: Boycott Chinese Items: Alternatives for Chinese Mobile Apps