India bans 43 more Chinese Apps, 267 in all
DHARAMSALA, 25 Nov: India has yet again banned 43 more malicious Chinese mobile apps as it identifies them “prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, the security of the state and public order.”
India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has announced on Tuesday that it invoked “section 69A of the Information Technology Act to safeguard the privacy of 130 crore Indians” and further stated in its statement that the decision was taken “based on the comprehensive reports received from Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center, Ministry of Home Affairs.”
The additional list of Chinese mobile Apps to be banned in India include several dating apps as well as Alibaba Workbench, AliSuppliers mobile app, Ali Express – smarter shopping, better living, Alipay Cashier, Lalamove India-Delivery app among others. (Click here for the full list.)
“Government is committed to protect(ing) the interests of citizens and sovereignty and integrity of India on all fronts and it shall take all possible steps to ensure that,” the Ministry added.
India, the world’s second-largest internet market has now banned 267 Chinese mobile Apps in total. Taking a cue from India, the US followed suit and banned some Chinese Apps.
India announced the ban of 59 Chinese mobile apps in June earlier this year and later in September, it added 118 more apps were to the list under 69A of the Information Technology Act.
Meanwhile, China has accused India of flouting the WTO rules as it “firmly opposed” New Delhi’s ‘ decision to ban an 43 more Chinese Apps and accused India of repeatedly using “national security” as an excuse to ban Chinese Apps.
“We hope the Indian side provides a fair, impartial and non-discriminatory business environment for all market players from various countries including China, and rectify the discriminatory practices violating WTO rules,” the Chinese embassy said in a statement it issued.
