China Bans 105 Apps Including US Based Tripadvisor From Local App Stores; Is It Settling Scores Over TikTok Ban?

China has removed 105 apps including Tripadvisor from its local app stores as a "clean up of illegal" apps on the web. Is it settling scores over the US TikTok ban? Here's all about it.

BRAZIL - 2019/12/05: In this photo illustration the TripAdvisor logo is seen displayed on a smartphone. (Photo Illustration by Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

New Delhi: China has decided to remove 105 apps including Tripadvisor from its local app stores as a "clean up of illegal" apps on the web.  In a campaign beginning from November 5, the authorities reportedly looked to remove content that is connected to pornography, prostitution, gambling, or violence. According to the Cyberspace Administration of China, all apps violated one of the country's three cyber-laws but no details have been provided about the same. Most of the apps that are banned are Chinese however the most prominent one is the US-based travel app Tripadvisor. The US travel app Tripadvisor is one of the oldest internet travel companies as it began its journey in the year 2000. It is unclear why the "dragon" deemed the service objectionable. In the meantime, Tripadvisor's website continues to be accessible without the use of a VPN or any such means. At this point, only a broad link can be drawn between the US ban on TikTok and now China's move to ban Tripadvisor app. A second US court ruled against the TikTok ban recently as US district judge Carl Nichols stated that President Trump overstepped his authority when attempting to ban the popular video-sharing app on national security grounds. This was the second ruling in favour of TikTok. Chinese authorities had accused the US of employing bullying tactics and said that it would take "necessary measures" to safeguard the interests of Chinese companies. Popularly several giants like Google, Gmail, Facebook and Twitter have been banned in China as a move to carry out heavy censorship by using local alternatives. WATCH | China's Chang'e-5 to land on earth's surface with 2 kilos of lunar soil