Government Bans 43 Mobile Apps Over Defence & Security Concerns

The ministry of electronic and information technology (Meity) has banned 43 more mobile apps in the country. Most of these are Chinese applications. The central government has banned these apps by taking action under Section 69A of the IT act citing them as a threat to the sovereignty, integrity, and security of the country. It has been told by the government that these apps are involved in activities against India's sovereignty, integrity, defense, security, and law and order. 

The IT Ministry has said that the decision to ban the said mobile app has been taken based on the report received by the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Center of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Earlier, on 29 June, the Indian government had banned 59 Chinese mobile apps. After this, 118 more apps were banned on 2 September. The government's action is also being called a digital surgical strike amid tension on the border with China. 

"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," the official statement reads. 

Sharing his views, Ankit Chaudhari, CEO & Founder, Aiisma said, “This was due for a while now and even more could be in pipeline. E-commerce/payments/online dating are the primarily targeted infrastructures that have access to quite a lot of critical consumer information. What needs to be seen is if Indian alternatives are able to replace with profits these existing platforms rather than just replace them with a burn.” 

"The another ban on 43 Chinese apps is a welcome move by the Govt. of India and the IT Ministry. I think this is a strong move by the government that sends out a strong message that Indian data cannot be compromised. We welcome anyone to do business here, but Indian users data must be protected through safe means. There are many apps in the market, which can be better alternatives of Chinese apps like –AliExpress, CamCard etc. During the last two times ban on apps home grown apps have seen a huge increase in the number of downloads. Domestic applications developers recruited and this opportunity has also opened up the job market under the segment which will eventually have an added boost to the Indian economy." said Teja Gudluru, Founder & CEO, UDo-now.com 

Here's the complete list of 43 apps banned by the government: 

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