India’s Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeITY), invoking its power under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act read with the relevant provisions of the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking of Access of Information by Public) Rules 2009 and in view of the emergent nature of threats, has decided to block 59 apps (see the list below) since, in view of the available information, ‘they have been found to be engaged in activities which are prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of the State and public order’.

 

  1. TikTok
  2. Shareit
  3. Kwai
  4. UC Browser
  5. Baidu map
  6. Shein
  7. Clash of Kings
  8. DU battery saver
  9. Helo
  10. Likee
  11. YouCam makeup
  12. Mi Community
  13. CM Browers
  14. Virus Cleaner
  15. APUS Browser
  16. ROMWE
  17. Club Factory
  18. Newsdog
  19. Beutry Plus
  20. WeChat
  21. UC News
  22. QQ Mail
  23. Weibo
  24. Xender
  25. QQ Music
  26. QQ Newsfeed
  27. Bigo Live
  28. SelfieCity
  29. Mail Master
  30. Parallel Space

 

  1. Mi Video Call – Xiaomi
  2. WeSync
  3. ES File Explorer
  4. Viva Video – QU Video Inc
  5. Meitu
  6. Vigo Video
  7. New Video Status
  8. DU Recorder
  9. Vault- Hide
  10. Cache Cleaner DU App studio
  11. DU Cleaner
  12. DU Browser
  13. Hago Play With New Friends
  14. Cam Scanner
  15. Clean Master – Cheetah Mobile
  16. Wonder Camera
  17. Photo Wonder
  18. QQ Player
  19. We Meet
  20. Sweet Selfie
  21. Baidu Translate
  22. Vmate
  23. QQ International
  24. QQ Security Center
  25. QQ Launcher
  26. U Video
  27. V fly Status Video
  28. Mobile Legends
  29. DU Privacy

Table: List of 59 apps just banned by the Government of India

 

Over the last few years, India has emerged as a leading innovator in the digital space. At the same time, there have been raging concerns on aspects relating to data security and safeguarding the privacy of 1.3 billion Indians. It has been noted recently that such concerns also pose a threat to the sovereignty and security of India. MeITY has  reportedly 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 user data in an unauthorized manner to servers which have locations outside India. The compilation of such data, its mining and profiling by elements hostile to national security and defence of India, which ultimately impinges upon the sovereignty and  integrity of India, is a matter of very deep and immediate concern which requires emergency measures.

 

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, Ministry of Home Affairs has also sent an exhaustive recommendation for blocking these malicious apps. This Ministry has also received many representations citizens regarding the security of data and risk to privacy relating to operation of certain apps. The Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-IN) has also received many representations from citizens regarding security of data and breach of privacy that has an impact upon public order issues. Likewise, there have been similar bipartisan concerns, flagged by various public representatives, both outside and inside the Parliament of India. There has been a strong chorus in the public space to take strict action against apps that harm India’s sovereignty as well as the privacy of our citizens.

 

On the basis of the above and upon receipt of credible inputs that such apps pose a threat to the sovereignty and integrity of India, the Government of India, it seems, has decided to disallow the usage of certain apps, used in both mobile and non-mobile Internet enabled devices. New Delhi believes this move will safeguard the interests of hundreds of millions of Indian mobile and internet users. This decision is a targeted move to ensure the safety and sovereignty of Indian cyberspace.


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