India Bans 119 Apps Over Security Concerns

National Desk: The Indian government has ordered the removal of 119 apps from the Google Play Store, citing national security and public order concerns. Most of these apps are linked to China and include video and voice chat applications. The ban was imposed under Section 69A of the IT Act, which grants the government authority to block online content.

Why Were the Apps Banned?

The government’s decision aims to safeguard national security and prevent potential threats arising from foreign apps. Among the banned applications are apps linked to China and Hong Kong, including video and voice chat platforms such as:

ChillChat (Singapore)
Blom (China)
HoneyCam (Australia)

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Some of these apps had been previously banned, particularly during heightened tensions between India and China. However, this time, the ban also includes apps from Singapore, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, indicating that the decision is not exclusively targeting China.

Government’s Decision and Legal Aspects

The Indian government’s decision falls under Section 69A of the IT Act, which allows it to block online content in the interest of national security, sovereignty, and public order. Following this directive, Google confirmed that the blocked apps were listed in the Lumen Database, which tracks content removal requests by governments and other entities. However, the list was later removed from public view.

Current Status of the Ban

As of now, only 15 out of the 119 banned apps have been removed from the Google Play Store, while the remaining 104 apps are still available. Google has not provided a timeline for the removal of these remaining applications. It also remains unclear whether the delay is due to technical reasons or legal proceedings.

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The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (IT Ministry) has refused to comment on the matter, but sources suggest that further clarifications will be provided soon.

Impact on Developers and Users

The ban has raised concerns among app developers, as many of them rely on the Indian user base for revenue. The affected companies worry that their businesses could suffer significant losses due to this decision. Additionally, Indian users who frequently used these applications may now have to look for alternatives.

While the government is expected to take further action, the exact timeline for the complete removal of all 119 apps is still uncertain. Experts suggest that stricter regulations and scrutiny over foreign apps may continue in the future, especially regarding data privacy and security risks.

For now, Indian users are advised to stay updated on official announcements and avoid using applications that have been flagged for security risks.

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