By Banning Its 59 Apps, India Hits China Where It Hurts The Most

The decision to ban these China based mobile applications comes amid the heightened tensions with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh's Galwan Valley region.

(Representative Image/ Getty)

New Delhi: The central government on Monday put a ban on at least 59 mobile applications stating that those apps "are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order”.  The list of 59 mobile apps which have been prohibited by the government have their origin in China. The list includes widely used TikTok, SHAREit, US Browser, Baidu map, Helo, Mi Community, Club Factory, WeChat, UC News, Weibo, Xender, Meitu, CamScanner, and Clean Master - Cheetah Mobile besides others.

#Update | Government of India Bans 59 mobile apps which are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order. Read the press release by @PIB_India for more details - https://t.co/LcIuXOnlfK

— Ministry of Electronics & IT (@GoI_MeitY) June 29, 2020

The decision to ban these China based mobile applications comes amid the heightened tensions with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh's Galwan Valley region. Protecting National Security The government has stated that it received many complaints from various sources including several reports about misuse of some mobile apps available on Android and iOS platforms for stealing and surreptitiously transmitting users’ data in an unauthorized manner. As per the government, these data are usually transmitted to servers which have locations outside India. Few days back also, the Indian intelligence agencies have warned against using 52 mobile applications that have links to China. READ HERE | Indian Intelligence Agencies Raise Alarm Against 52 Chinese Apps Like TikTok, SHAREit, UC News, Mi Apps Keeping in mind the national security as priority amid the rough ties with neighbouring China, it was advisable to do away with all such apps as soon as possible before it could breach the Indian web walls. Safeguarding Interests of Indian Citizens Moreover, the government is of the belief that decision on removal of Chinese apps 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," a statement  by government press releases said. Strengthening Wallet Power The whole idea and rage over removing chinese products including their apps was initiated by education reformer and innovator Sonam Wangchuk who few days back posted a video on YouTube sharing a strategic plan to fight back China by boycotting everything Chinese to take revenge for rising tensions between India and China. He had suggested people to resort to "wallet power" in order to take revenge from the neighboring country China.  Since then, BoycottChina, #BoycottMadeinChina, #BoycottChineseApps, #MakeInIndia, #SelfReliantIndia and other similar movements are trending on social media.