Government to prohibit 54 Chinese apps that create a national security risk
Since June 2020, the Centre has banned around 224 Chinese apps, beginning with about 59 in the first round
According to highly placed insiders, the Indian government is poised to issue a new order banning 54 Chinese apps that represent a significant threat to the country's security.
The government believes that these 54 Chinese apps constitute a "threat to the privacy and security of Indians," according to news agency ANI, which cited sources.
The majority of these apps are owned by large Chinese technology companies such as Tencent, Alibaba, and NetEase, a game company. These Chinese technology companies have all "rebranded or rechristened" the apps that the Centre banned in 2020.
According to the sources, the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeITY), which had previously prohibited Chinese software in 2000, has asked the Google Playstore to disable these apps.
They stated that the MeITY has taken the required steps in this regard, using the powers conferred on it by Section 69a of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
Since June 2020, the Centre has banned around 224 Chinese apps, beginning with about 59 in the first round, including popular apps such as TikTok, Shareit, WeChat, Helo, Likee, UC News, Bigo Live, UC Browser, ES File Explorer, and Mi Community.
