News Corner: 43 More Mobile Apps Blocked By Centre, Cited Security Concerns

Image Source: Times Now News

On November 24, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology banned 43 more apps under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 read with various other relevant provisions of the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking of Access of Information by Public) Rules, 2009. This was done in view of the comprehensive reports received from Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center, Ministry of Home Affairs.

The government has blocked these mobile apps, mostly Chinese, for activities that are “prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order“. Four apps owned by China’s retail giant, the Alibaba Group, are on the latest banned list.

The present ban is not shocking as the government had banned various other mobile apps earlier. The government had first banned 59 Chinese apps in June as tension with China peaked following the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers in a clash with Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh’s Galwan Valley.

In September, the government banned 118 more apps saying they posed a threat to the country’s sovereignty.

A total of 220 apps now stand blocked, including the viral video platform TikTok and the popular mobile shooting game, PUBG, in what ministers have described as a “digital strike”.

List of apps that have been blocked for access in India in the recent order are provided below:

1. AliSuppliers Mobile App

2. Alibaba Workbench

3. AliExpress – Smarter Shopping, Better Living

4. Alipay Cashier

5. Lalamove India – Delivery App

6. Drive with Lalamove India

7. Snack Video

8. CamCard – Business Card Reader

9. CamCard – BCR (Western)

10. Soul- Follow the soul to find you

11. Chinese Social – Free Online Dating Video App & Chat

12. Date in Asia – Dating & Chat For Asian Singles

13. WeDate-Dating App

14. Free dating app-Singol, start your date!

15. Adore App

16. TrulyChinese – Chinese Dating App

17. TrulyAsian – Asian Dating App

18. ChinaLove: dating app for Chinese singles

19. DateMyAge: Chat, Meet, Date Mature Singles Online

20. AsianDate: find Asian singles

21. FlirtWish: chat with singles

22. Guys Only Dating: Gay Chat

23. Tubit: Live Streams

24. WeWorkChina

25. First Love Live- super hot live beauties live online

26. Rela – Lesbian Social Network

27. Cashier Wallet

28. MangoTV

29. MGTV-HunanTV official TV APP

30. WeTV – TV version

31. WeTV – Cdrama, Kdrama&More

32. WeTV Lite

33. Lucky Live-Live Video Streaming App

34. Taobao Live

35. DingTalk

36. Identity V

37. Isoland 2: Ashes of Time

38. BoxStar (Early Access)

39. Heroes Evolved

40. Happy Fish

41. Jellipop Match-Decorate your dream island！

42. Munchkin Match: magic home building

43. Conquista Online II

While doing so, the Centre said that “The government is committed to protect the interests of citizens and sovereignty and integrity of India on all fronts and it shall take all possible steps to ensure that.”

Reported by Ujjawal Bhargava, Student Ambassador

[ORIGINALLY REPORTED ON NOVEMBER 28, 2020]