Chinese Apps Ban: India Bans 59 Chinese Apps, Including TikTok, ShareIt, UC Browser

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.

Reuters

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.

59 Chinese apps ban: Full list of Chinese apps

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. 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 ¡ª Xiaomi 32. WeSync 33. ES File Explorer 34. Viva Video ¡ª 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

Reuters

India Ban Apps: The reason

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.

Reuters

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."