What the latest tranche of Chinese apps ban by the Indian Govt means?

In its latest move, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, invoking it’s 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 118 more Chinese mobile apps, since in view of information available they are engaged in activities which is prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order.

Also read: Government of India bans another 47 Chinese Apps

This latest ban comes on the back of the earlier two ban orders under which first 59 Chinese apps, including TikTok, and then 47 Chinese apps were banned by the Indian Government.

The ban on 118 Chinese apps comes close on the heels of fresh incursion into Indian territory by Chinese troops at Pangong Tso in Ladakh.

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, Ministry of Home Affairs, has also sent an exhaustive recommendation for blocking these malicious apps. 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 its citizens.

Recently, in the latest episode of his show, ‘Mann Ki Baat’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called for increased adoption of Indian apps.

Meanwhile, the latest ban order will be a huge setback for the mobile gaming industry as it includes the massively popular PUBG video game app.

Adgully reached out to cross-section of the industry to gauge their reactions to the latest ban on Chinese apps.

Sanjay Tripathy Co-Founder and CEO Armsprime

“The decision to place a ban on the apps was taken after the Government received many complaints about the misuse by Chinese apps available on Android and iOS platforms for stealing and clandestinely transmitting users’ data in an unauthorised manner to servers which have locations outside India and mainly in China. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology on June 29 had banned 59 apps, including TikTok, ShareIt, and UC Browser, which had a huge subscriber base in India. PUBG has been extremely popular in India, and about 22 lakh people in the country played the game in May 2020. This will give a boost to Indian tech ecosystem to develop world class apps. I feel it is necessary, looking at the current border tension between India and China. Data security is a huge concern in almost all Chinese apps.”

Shradha Agarwal, Co-Founder and COO, Grapes Digital:

“The banning of more than 100 additional apps by the Indian Government with any linkages to China is certainly going to create unrest and affect the livelihoods of many. These apps, including PUBG, were not only a gaming platform but a subsistence. For PUBG, India was its largest market with content creators in the universe of gaming. PUBG has helped the hardcore mobile gaming market in India to grow exponentially in all 3 metrics — users, usage and monetisation. For the first time in India, we were seeing sizable in-app purchase revenues from a single game and the ban in PUBG, amongst all the other apps, will directly impact the business model for many, thereby affecting their livelihood. The ripple effect will also be felt by event organisers, marketing agencies and influencers who were using PUBG and game streaming to optimise and monetise their livelihood; it surely had become a way of life and existence. With a quarter of lifetime PUBG install in India and more than 40 million monthly active users in the month of July, according to one of the top mobile insight firms, will lead to immense uncertainty with the overnight ban of these apps. However, this move by the Government was expected to come anytime soon, following the ban on TikTok.”

Sumit Ghosh, CEO, Co-founder of Chingari, a homegrown Indian app:

“The Government time and again has provided support to the Indian start-up eco-system. This indeed would motivate the Indian ecosystem, and we would see more Indian companies going global. That being said, the Government should also look into companies who have Chinese investments and use Chinese technology in their products, and how are they safeguarding the data of Indian citizens.”

 Sonakshi Nathani, Co-founder, Bikayi:

“Now is the time to support local and go Aatmanirbhar and we are glad to know that the Government is taking the right steps towards it. This means opening ample opportunities for Indian entrepreneurs. Now, Indian business apps will get ample opportunity to empower other local businesses with their technology, which will in turn boost economy by leaps and bounds.”

Varun Saxena, Founder, Bolo Indya:

“We highly value data security and privacy of all our users and of any Indian using any application. We appreciate the move by the Government and it stands testimony to our commitment for pursuing high data security standards.”

 Ram Malay, CEO, Webkonf Meetings:

“As per information available, MIT received numerous complaints regarding misuse of these Apps for collecting and transferring users’ data in an unauthorised manner to servers located outside India. It is a much expected decision as the Indian Government is trying to focus more on unauthorised data collection by many apps. The Government should also initiate steps to form a consortium or board to increase vigilance on external apps, which could be harmful in data collection and can create security issues.”

Pulkit Agrawal, Co-Founder, Trell:

"The new round of Chinese apps ban by the Indian government shows that as a country, we are serious about protecting data and ensuring that it remains safe and secure. This ban will help create a self-reliant, Aatmanirbhar Bharat, as more Indian entrepreneurs and app developers can come together to create various application services for Indians, by Indians. Not only will this give a big boost to the economy and aid development, users of these applications can be rest assured knowing that their data is safe."

Complete list of 118 banned Chinese apps:

1. APUS Launcher Pro- Theme, Live Wallpapers, Smart
2. APUS Launcher -Theme, Call Show, Wallpaper, HideApps
3. APUS Security -Antivirus, Phone security, Cleaner
4. APUS Turbo Cleaner 2020- Junk Cleaner, Anti-Virus
5. APUS Flashlight-Free & Bright
6. Cut Cut – Cut Out & Photo Background Editor
7. Baidu
8. Baidu Express Edition
9. FaceU - Inspire your Beauty
10. ShareSave by Xiaomi: Latest gadgets, amazing deals
11. CamCard - Business Card Reader
12. CamCard Business
13. CamCard for Salesforce
14. CamOCR
15. InNote
16. VooV Meeting - Tencent Video Conferencing
17. Super Clean - Master of Cleaner, Phone Booster
18. WeChat reading
19. Government WeChat
20. Small Q brush
21. Tencent Weiyun
22. Pitu
23. WeChat Work
24. Cyber Hunter
25. Cyber Hunter Lite
26. Knives Out-No rules, just fight!
27. Super Mecha Champions
28. LifeAfter
29. Dawn of Isles
30. Ludo World-Ludo Superstar
31. Chess Rush
32. PUBG MOBILE Nordic Map: Livik
33. PUBG MOBILE LITE
34. Rise of Kingdoms: Lost Crusade
35. Art of Conquest: Dark Horizon
36. Dank Tanks
37. Warpath
38. Game of Sultans
39. Gallery Vault - Hide Pictures And Videos
40. Smart AppLock (App Protect)
41. Message Lock (SMS Lock)-Gallery Vault Developer Team
42. Hide App-Hide Application Icon
43. AppLock
44. AppLock Lite
45. Dual Space - Multiple Accounts & App Cloner
46. ZAKZAK Pro - Live chat & video chat online
47. ZAKZAK LIVE: live-streaming & video chat app
48. Music - Mp3 Player
49. Music Player - Audio Player & 10 Bands Equalizer
50. HD Camera Selfie Beauty Camera
51. Cleaner - Phone Booster
52. Web Browser & Fast Explorer
53. Video Player All Format for Android
54. Photo Gallery HD & Editor
55. Photo Gallery & Album
56. Music Player - Bass Booster - Free Download
57. HD Camera - Beauty Cam with Filters & Panorama
58. HD Camera Pro & Selfie Camera
59. Music Player - MP3 Player & 10 Bands Equalizer
60. Gallery HD
61. Web Browser - Fast, Privacy & Light Web Explorer
62. Web Browser - Secure Explorer
63. Music player - Audio Player
64. Video Player - All Format HD Video Player
65. Lamour Love All Over The World
66. Amour- video chat & call all over the world.
67. MV Master - Make Your Status Video & Community
68. MV Master - Best Video Maker & Photo Video Editor
69. APUS Message Center-Intelligent management
70. LivU Meet new people & Video chat with strangers
71. Carrom Friends : Carrom Board & Pool Game-
72. Ludo All Star- Play Online Ludo Game & Board Games
73. Bike Racing : Moto Traffic Rider Bike Racing Games
74. Rangers Of Oblivion : Online Action MMO RPG Game
75. Z Camera - Photo Editor, Beauty Selfie, Collage
76. GO SMS Pro - Messenger, Free Themes, Emoji
77. U-Dictionary: Oxford Dictionary Free Now Translate
78. Ulike - Define your selfie in trendy style
79. Tantan - Date For Real
80. MICO Chat: New Friends Banaen aur Live Chat karen
81. Kitty Live - Live Streaming & Video Live Chat
82. Malay Social Dating App to Date & Meet Singles
83. Alipay
84. AlipayHK
85. Mobile Taobao
86. Youku
87. Road of Kings- Endless Glory
88. Sina News
89. Netease News
90. Penguin FM
91. Murderous Pursuits
92. Tencent Watchlist (Tencent Technology
93. Learn Chinese AI-Super Chinese
94. HUYA LIVE – Game Live Stream
95. Little Q Album
96. Fighting Landlords - Free and happy Fighting Landlords
97. Hi Meitu
98. Mobile Legends: Pocket
99. VPN for TikTok
100. VPN for TikTok
101. Penguin E-sports Live assistant
102. Buy Cars-offer everything you need, special offers and low prices
103. iPick
104. Beauty Camera Plus - Sweet Camera & Face Selfie
105. Parallel Space Lite - Dual App
106. "Chief Almighty: First Thunder BC
107. MARVEL Super War NetEase Games
108. AFK Arena
109. Creative Destruction NetEase Games
110. Crusaders of Light NetEase Games
111. Mafia City Yotta Games
112. Onmyoji NetEase Games
113. Ride Out Heroes NetEase Games
114. Yimeng Jianghu-Chu Liuxiang has been fully upgraded
115. Legend: Rising Empire NetEase Games
116. Arena of Valor: 5v5 Arena Games
117. Soul Hunters
118. Rules of Survival