On monday evening, the Indian government announced that it was placing a ban on apps developed by Chinese firms numbering 50 over concerns that the applications were involved in activities that could threaten defence of India and national security, hence capable of interfering with the integrity and sovereignty of India. The ban is one of the latest in the ongoing standoff between India and China.
Although the Indian government has cited cybersecurity issues as the main reasons for blocking the apps from one of the world’s largest markets, a top Indian official said the ban was imposed because the apps might have been used to harm India’s defenses, as well as to send a message to China.
Some of the apps banned by the Indian government include TikTok, which unarguably india as its largest overseas market, UC News and UC Browser from Alibaba Group’s, CM browser, Shareit, ES File Explorer and Club Factory, among others.
Without a doubt, this move comes as a setback to China’s Digital goals thus negatively affecting the value of such companies. Besides, it could also lead to more nations taking steps against such apps.
Furthermore, the ban on these apps might not be unconnected to the clash between the Chinese and Indian armies over the Himalayan mountains border disputes. This ban makes it the first time that India will be ordering the ban several simultaneously.
Just recently, India became the country with the largest number of new TikTok users in the world thus accounting for about 20% of the app’s downloads with the U.S. following with about 9.3%.
Although all the banned apps are still available on both the Google Play store and Apple app store, it is still presently unclear how the Indian government plans to enforce the ban on the apps.
This move from India will certainly deepen the ongoing tensions between India and China. Recall that 20 Indian soldiers were murdered by Chinese troops in a clash over border control.
Here’s the complete list of the apps banned:
1. TikTok
2. Kwai
3. Shareit
4. Shein
5. UC Browser
6. Baidu map
7. Clash of Kings
8. Helo
9. DU battery saver
10. YouCam makeup
11. Likee
12. Mi Community
13. Virus Cleaner
14. CM Browers
15. ROMWE
16. APUS Browser
17. Newsdog
18. Qutry Plus
19. Club Factory
20. UC News
21.WeChat
22. QQ Mail
23. Xender
24. Weibo
25. QQ Newsfeed
26. QQ Music
27. SelfieCity
28. Mail Master
29. Parallel Space
30. Bigo Live
31. Mi Video Call – Xiaomi
32. ES File Explorer
33. WeSync
34. Viva Video – QU Video Inc
35. Vigo Video
36. Meitu
37. New Video Status
38. Vault- Hide
39. DU Recorder
40. DU Browser
41. Cache Cleaner DU App studio
42. DU Cleaner
43. Clean Master – Cheetah Mobile
44. Cam Scanner
45. Hago Play With New Friends
46. Photo Wonder
47. Wonder Camera
48. We Meet
49. QQ Player
50. Baidu Translate
51. Sweet Selfie
52. QQ International
53. Vmate
54. QQ Launcher
55. QQ Security Center
56. V fly Status Video
57. U Video
58. DU Privacy
59. Mobile Legends
Conclusion
Overall, although the Indian government has cited insecurity as its major reason for the ban on these apps, the effect of such an action will come with a ripple effect.
Even more, the apps will be expected to depreciate in value since India is one of its largest markets. Besides, more countries are also likely to join in placing bans on apps from countries that are having tensions with.