Amid the rising tensions between India and China following the military clashes at the border two weeks ago, the Indian Government has targeted Chinese products in its strongest move.
On June 29, 2020, the Indian Government has banned 59 Chinese apps, including the hugely popular TikTok and UC Browser, citing national security concerns.
Some of the banned apps include Helo, WeChat, Likee, CamScanner, Bigo Live, Vigo Video, Clash of Kings, Club Factory, and Shein.
The Indian Information Technology Ministry exclaimed that it has received reports about the misuse of mobile apps for malicious transmission of users’ data to servers located outside India.
“The compilation of these data, its mining and profiling by elements hostile to national security and defense of India, which ultimately impinges upon India’s sovereignty and integrity, is a matter of very deep and immediate concern which requires emergency measures,” said the Ministry.
The ban on mobile apps has been imposed under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act.
However, the ban is interim, according to government sources. The banned apps will be given a chance to respond to the government’s concerns before a committee of concerned authorities. Then, the committee will recommend whether to remove the ban or continue it.
Hours after the ban, TikTok India said that it had not shared any information of the users to any foreign government, including the Chinese Government.
“TikTok continues to comply with all data privacy and security requirements under Indian law and has not shared any information of our users in India with any foreign government, including the Chinese government,” said Nikhil Gandhi, Head of TikTok India.
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