An order by India's MeitY has banned the use of 59 Chinese apps within the country, citing the Chinese apps "are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order¡±.
This finally comes as the latest move in escalating tensions between India and China, after violence erupted on the LAC in Ladakh's Galwan Valley where 20 Indian soldiers were martyred earlier this month.
The Indian government order that called for the 59 Chinese apps ban included popular apps like TikTok, SHAREIt, UC Browser, Helo, Baidu Map and more.
If you are wondering which Chinese apps have been banned by the Indian government, here is the full list of Chinese apps banned for your perusal:
1. TikTok2. Shareit3. Kwai4. UC Browser5. Baidu map6. Shein7. Clash of Kings8. DU battery saver9. Helo?
10. Likee11. YouCam makeup12. Mi Community13. CM Browers14. Virus Cleaner15. APUS Browser16. ROMWE17. Club Factory18. Newsdog19. Beutry Plus20.?WeChat?
21. UC News22. QQ Mail23. Weibo24. Xender25. QQ Music26. QQ Newsfeed27. Bigo Live28. SelfieCity29. Mail Master30. Parallel Space?
31. Mi Video Call ¡ª Xiaomi32. WeSync33. ES File Explorer34. Viva Video ¡ª QU Video Inc35. Meitu36. Vigo Video37. New Video Status38. DU Recorder39. Vault- Hide?40. Cache Cleaner DU App studio?
41. DU Cleaner42. DU Browser43. Hago Play With New Friends44. Cam Scanner45. Clean Master - Cheetah Mobile46. Wonder Camera47. Photo Wonder48. QQ Player49. We Meet50. Sweet Selfie?
51. Baidu Translate52. Vmate53. QQ International54. QQ Security Center55. QQ Launcher56. U Video57. V fly Status Video58. Mobile Legends59. DU Privacy
According to a Times Now report,?the anti-Chinese apps order issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) stated that the 59 apps that have been banned by the Government of India "are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order¡±.?
That's not all, the order further continued with the following: "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."
Just earlier this month, early hints indicated that as many as 52 Chinese apps were being considered to be banned by Indian government.?
Even an app called 'Remove China Apps' had become insanely popular in a very short time, clocking over 10 lakh downloads on Google's Android Play Store, indicating the strong anti-China sentiment among Indian app users.
The order blocking the 59 Chinese apps in India also stated the following: "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."